Summer: The Perfect Time for Carb-Loading, Guilt-Free 🍓☀️🍉

Waiting for my shipment of summer fruits to come in....

Last summer, I was hanging on the beach with my friends as we noshed on strawberries. Warmed by the sun, and purchased from a local farmers market, the strawberries were melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It felt so right!

Have you noticed how much our bodies crave lighter, hydrating foods in the summer? It’s natural. So, I say, let’s lean into that. There’s a reason we want to eat more carbs…and we can do so, guilt-free.

Let me explain: carbs get a bad rap. I get why. Refined sugars and grains were the carbs that Dr. Weston A. Price identified as leading to the decline of health in the 1930’s…and the situation is even more dire today. 

But that doesn’t mean we should deny the rhythms of nature! We can understand when and how to eat more carbs in a way that actually helps our health!

When you hear the phrase “carb-loading,” you might picture marathon runners wolfing down plates of pasta the night before a race. But what if I told you that summer is the perfect time for a more relaxed, and yummy kind of carb-loading— one that includes nature’s candy: fresh fruit, like the strawberries I mentioned earlier!

So let’s talk about how seasonal eating, sunlight, and summer produce come together to support your health in ways that feel indulgent, but are actually pretty smart.

What is Nature Saying about What to Eat?

What is nature telling us about what to eat in the summer? All around the world, when the temperatures rise there is an abundance of naturally sweet, carbohydrate-rich foods—think berries, melons, peaches, tomatoes. Our ancestors didn’t have grocery stores stocked year-round, so they ate what was there, growing right around them. In the summer that meant they loaded up on carbs to fuel long days of activity and prepare for leaner months ahead. Or, closer to the equator, they naturally ate a diet higher in carbohydrates including tropical fruits, starchy vegetables like corn and cassava, and the like.

So even though modern life gives us year-round access to just about everything, our biology still responds to seasonal cues—especially light. So when you eat fresh fruit (and whatever else grows in the summer near you), you are physically taking in the light of that food which is a match for your biology. This is why it feels good and seems right. (And, by the way, when you eat outside in the sunshine, it’s twice the light, kind of double the goodness in a sense!)

An ideal beach snack: chips fried in lard and mango salsa

Won’t Summer Carbs Make Me Gain Weight?

Some might worry that too many carbs will lead to weight gain. Let me set your mind at ease. Longer days and increased sunlight during summer don’t just lift your mood— they also affect your metabolism. Some research suggests that greater sun exposure, including UV radiation, may improve insulin sensitivity. That means your body is more efficient at handling the carbohydrates you eat— turning them into energy rather than storing them as fat. 

In other words: your summer self is better primed to enjoy a juicy slice of watermelon and use it well! 🍉

Produce as Sunscreen

Here’s another cool factoid: all that colorful summer produce doesn’t just taste amazing— it’s also packed with antioxidants like vitamin C, lycopene, and flavonoids. These compounds help protect your body against oxidative stress—and they’re particularly good at defending your skin from the inside out.

That’s right: the tomatoes and berries on your plate can help your skin fight sun damage. Lycopene (hello, tomatoes and watermelon) has even been shown to offer some protection against UV rays when consumed regularly. 

I should add that processed carb sources like refined grains and sugars (the ones Dr. Price noted make populations sicker) do not have any of these benefits. Your body is designed to eat more carbs in the summer, that’s true. But they’re supposed to come from fruits and vegetables in their seasons, not junk food!

Takeaway

So yes, summertime carb-loading is a real nutrition strategy, and it’s not just for athletes. It’s a celebration of the season, a gift to your metabolism, and a way to support your skin from within!

So pile your plate with ripe fruit, and let your body soak in both the sunlight and the seasonal nutrition. It’s not just delicious—it’s deeply aligned with how your body was designed to thrive!

Happy Summer! 🧡🍅☀️🍉🍓