Do We Tend to Eat Lighter in the Summer?

I don’t know about you, but there are definitely changes in my appetite and the foods that I crave when summer time comes around. Especially if it’s a summer that’s a real scorcher like this one (who isn’t scorching now, seems like everyone is experiencing a hot one).

It is true that we tend to change up what kinds of foods we crave and like to eat in the summer time. I just read an interesting article that pork is in higher demand in the summer time because a lot of families like to eat lighter and eat BLT’s for dinner. Now, I don’t know if I’d consider a BLT to be light on the calories, but it certainly is lighter fare as opposed to traditional winter fare like chili and hearty soups and meat dishes.

Also, foods like fruits and veggie skyrocket in demand in the summer. it’s true that part of the reason is that they are more abundant and in season, but also it’s a showing of the shift in change of appetite and cravings.  I know I myself tend to crave things that are lighter. Like I don’t really want heavy ice cream, instead, something like a slushy or a frozen yogurt berry sundae sounds great.

Even my sweets cravings are lighter. In the winter I typically would crave chocolate and rich desserts all time like cookies and cakes, but in the summer, I’m all about hard candys and fruity flavored candies.  It’s definitely true that your body sort of turns off the same heavy appetite for rich foods and instead instinctively wants foods that will provide instant energy instead of bog you down for hours digesting and processing it.

My craving for carbohydrates even declines in the summer time. While I crave things like mashed potatoes and heavy pastas in creamy sauces in the winter, I crave things like light grilled and marinated meats, accompanied by a nice cool salad and some veggies. It really is like your body turns on it’s more “naturally healthy appetite” during the times when your body needs to be it’s most active and alert and ready for action.