Alba Voss has always loved the energy of summer—the long days, the sun, the sense of movement. But with the season also came the constant temptation of sugary snacks: frozen treats, sweet drinks, and carb-heavy cookout sides. “By mid-July, I’d feel sluggish, even though I was eating constantly,” she recalls.
She realized she wasn’t fueling her body for summer; she was feeding her cravings. That’s when she decided to shift her meal prep routine—not to deprive herself, but to find ways to enjoy the season while feeling her best.
“I wanted to feel light, energized, and steady,” she says. So she started building meals around hydration, natural sweetness, and cooling ingredients.
Instead of sugary desserts, she prepped chia puddings with fresh berries and coconut milk. Instead of soda, she kept fruit-infused water and iced herbal teas in the fridge. Her meals became colorful and crisp—zucchini noodles, quinoa with roasted vegetables, and big bowls of greens with lemon-tahini dressing.
Importantly, she didn’t aim for zero sugar—just a more intentional balance. “I still love a popsicle on a hot day,” Alba smiles. “But I wanted to give my body the nutrients it needs to actually enjoy the season.”
For her, summer meal prep became less about discipline and more about freedom. “Now, my fridge is a place of inspiration, not guilt,” she says. “And that makes all the difference.”
