Why you lose your appetite in summer - Ukrainian dietitian explains
Photo: Why many people lose their appetite in summer (Depositphotos)
In hot weather, appetite often drops sharply. Many people feel no desire to eat during the day and sometimes skip lunch altogether. Ukrainian gastroenterologist and dietitian Professor Halyna Anokhina explained why this happens in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Why do we lose our appetite in summer?
According to the expert, our central nervous system contains a special center responsible for regulating appetite. It directly reacts to the surrounding temperature. When it gets hot, this center lowers the feeling of hunger.
In summer, the body uses less energy to maintain its internal temperature (around 37°C), so its calorie needs decrease. Conversely, in cold weather, we eat more because some calories are used to "heat" the body (thermogenesis), which actively uses fats.
This is a natural process, and there is no need to worry about a reduced appetite in the summer. Moreover, Anokhina emphasizes that it’s more important not to overeat, especially in the evening.
Often, people eat almost nothing during the day and then "make up for it" with a large meal after sunset. This is a mistake.
What is an ideal summer dinner?
In summer, an ideal dinner is light and rich in protein. At night, protein is essential for the body to repair cells damaged during the day.
During the day, we expend energy through movement, work, and physical and mental activity. At night, we "repair" what was lost. All our cells and tissues are primarily made up of proteins, so proper recovery is impossible without them.
The professor also reminded that the summer diet should contain less fat, since the body does not need to stay warm. She gave the example of northern peoples, who, on the contrary, must eat fatty and protein-rich foods to survive in cold conditions.
Thus, a reduced appetite in summer is a completely normal reaction of the body. The key is to listen to your body and choose light, nutritious foods that won’t burden digestion.
Previously, we revealed how much protein an adult needs.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
