200A "Why We Gain Weight in Summer—and the Power of Eating with the Seasons"

Did you know that your body is biologically wired to gain fat in the summer? In this powerful episode, I explain why seasonal eating matters more than ever—especially in menopause. Learn how summer fruits and light exposure affect your metabolism, why eating out-of-season foods can throw off your circadian rhythm, and how to realign with nature’s cycles to boost energy, sleep, and hormone balance.

You’ll also hear the story of two women—one eating in rhythm with the seasons, and one stuck in a summer-body trap. This episode is your guide to working with your biology, not against it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why we naturally gain weight in the summer

• How fructose and fruit trigger fat storage

• What happens when we eat summer foods in winter

• The light signals in food and how they affect mitochondria

• What seasonal eating looks like in Canada/ Cold states US

• How to realign your diet to match your natural environment

• The difference in health outcomes between two women with different eating patterns

Resources:

• ✅ Free Checklist: 5 Ways to Eat with the Seasons in Canada (scroll down)

• ✅ 7-Day Seasonal Eating Meal Plan (scroll down)

• ✅ Connect with Tanya on Instagram @vibrantlivingwithtanya

Listen and Subscribe:
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 https://youtu.be/kNYsT0fXT1w 

Next Step:
If you’re ready to align your rhythms, elevate your health, and experience more food freedom—

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✅ Checklist: 5 Ways to Eat with the Seasons in Canada

1. Shop local and seasonal.
   Use farmers' markets and seasonal produce guides for your province.

2. Choose foods that grow near you.
   Skip tropical fruits in winter and focus on local root vegetables and ferments.

3. Cook with the climate.
   Warm, slow-cooked meals in winter; raw, light foods in summer.

4. Preserve seasonal foods.
   Freeze or ferment summer berries and greens to use in winter.

5. Honor your light environment.
   Eat with natural light exposure—heavier meals earlier in the day in winter, lighter later meals in summer.

🍽️ 7-Day Seasonal Eating Meal Plan (Canadian Winter Example)

Goal: Support mitochondrial health, circadian rhythm, hormone balance, and 120g protein/day.

🧊 Day 1:

• Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, sautéed kale, fermented beets

• Lunch: Grass-fed beef stew, carrots, turnips

• Dinner: Roast chicken, mashed parsnips, sauerkraut

• Snack: Warm bone broth with collagen

❄️ Day 2:

• Breakfast: Apple compote with hemp seeds + coconut cream

• Lunch: Lentil soup with root veggies

• Dinner: Bison burgers, roasted squash, side of fermented carrots

• Snack: Boiled eggs with sea salt

🌬️ Day 3:

• Breakfast: Oatmeal with walnuts, cinnamon, stewed pears

• Lunch: Salmon cakes, beet salad, dill yogurt

• Dinner: Chicken bone broth soup with cabbage + rutabaga

• Snack: Handful of pumpkin seeds

🥶 Day 4:

• Breakfast: Hard-boiled eggs, avocado, leftover veggies

• Lunch: Turkey meatballs, sweet potato mash

• Dinner: Braised lamb shanks, root veg medley

• Snack: Chaga tea with coconut milk

❄️ Day 5:

• Breakfast: Coconut milk chia pudding with stewed blueberries (frozen from summer)

• Lunch: Cabbage rolls with wild rice and ground beef

• Dinner: Trout with roasted fennel and fermented red onions

• Snack: Celery with nut butter

🌨️ Day 6:

• Breakfast: Mushroom and spinach omelet

• Lunch: Leftover stew with sauerkraut

• Dinner: Venison stir-fry with cabbage and carrots

• Snack: Bone broth protein hot chocolate

❄️ Day 7:

• Breakfast: Spiced quinoa porridge with flax and berries

• Lunch: Egg drop soup with green onions and mushrooms

• Dinner: Pork roast with apples and roasted carrots

• Snack: Warm golden milk with collagen and ginger