Here’s What I’d Recommend If I Were a Dietitian at the Summer House Reunion
Even if you don’t watch Bravo, I think we can all agree we’re at least loosely up-to-speed on the current Summer House situation. It’s giving the same energy as 2023 when even my parents somehow knew who Tom Sandoval was. And on this long-anticipated day (okay, maybe only mildly anticipated unless you’re me), the cast is finally sitting down with Andy Cohen to tape the reunion for Summer House.
Myself—along with many others—is anxiously awaiting the confrontation that’s about to unfold, with much of the heat expected to land on none other than Amanda and West. And look, I hate to take sides (actually, no I don’t), but I cannot wait to see an activated Lindsay, a stone-cold Ciara and a very charged Kyle coming for the two of them. Apologies may be attempted and emotions will absolutely be high, but I would not be shocked if very few of those attempts at “I’m sorry” fully land. Long gone are the days of the “apology dune.”
And while it’s slightly comical (and unfortunate) how this season has played out—with Kyle and Jesse seemingly ending in a very different place than where they started—I can’t help but think back to simpler moments when Jesse was toe-adjacent and Kyle was reminding us Amanda was “not fun.” Reality TV really does have a way of humbling everyone eventually.
Like I said, even if you don’t watch the show, you can probably appreciate that this reunion is about to be a high-emotion, high-stakes environment. And because I can never fully turn off my identity as a dietitian (even while watching Bravo unfold in real time), my brain immediately goes to one thing: how stress like this changes the way we eat and regulate ourselves—even when food isn’t part of the conversation.
So if I were the dietitian on set at the Summer House reunion (dream scenario, TBH), here’s what I’d actually be thinking about. And no, it would not include “how many sandwiches have you made for me?”
Stress Changes Appetite Regulation
Think back to a time you were stressed or had that pit-in-your-stomach feeling about something. Now imagine walking into the Summer House reunion taping—especially as Amanda, West, Kyle or Ciara—and consider how amplified that feeling would be.
Not only is everyone arriving with an already elevated baseline level of stress, but at a reunion, they’re stepping into a highly charged environment: unresolved conflict, public scrutiny, anticipation and the awareness that every interaction is being filmed and dissected. Even typically composed cast members can feel that shift immediately—like Carl, who is a mess.
And in those conditions, appetite regulation doesn’t really operate in a “normal” way. For some people, that shows up as barely being able to eat beforehand and during—stress dampens hunger signals in real time. For others, they may feel relatively “normal” in the moment, but only because the body is prioritizing adrenaline and focus over digestion. Then, once filming ends and the adrenaline drops, appetite can rebound in a way that feels sudden or disproportionate.
So when you’re watching someone on screen seem emotionally activated—whether that’s shutting down (ahem, West), deflecting or looking for reassurance (hello Amanda)—it’s worth remembering that those outward behaviors are often reflections of the same internal stress physiology—just expressed differently.
High-Stakes Environments Disrupt “Normal Eating Patterns”
Okay—even though we’ve mostly seen Summer House cast members eating McDonald’s and breakfast sandwiches while casually slamming rosé and Loverboy (non-alc included—I see you Carl), I have to assume they return to some version of normal eating patterns when they’re not filming in Southampton.
But a reunion setting is not a normal day (at least I’m assuming—I haven’t been to one). It’s long filming blocks, emotional buildup, extended waiting periods and very little predictability. And that combination—especially layered on top of already elevated stress—tends to disrupt eating patterns in a few predictable ways. Meals get delayed or skipped because of scheduling. Snacks or caffeine end up replacing structured meals. And for hours at a time, people are “on,” which naturally shifts attention away from internal cues like hunger and fullness.
Simply put, the structure that normally supports eating gets stripped away. And while no one needs to eat perfectly in high-stress environments, those disruptions can lead to more noticeable swings in energy, mood and irritability throughout the day because the body is running on inconsistent fuel. Just imagine how much more scathing Lindsay’s takes might be under those conditions.
The Post-Stress Rebound is Predictable
After the reunion wraps, who’s to say whether the dominant feeling is relief or lingering anxiety (it will probably vary quite a bit across the cast). But either way, some of the intensity will start to ease. Adrenaline begins to drop, the body shifts out of a heightened state and appetite often returns—sometimes pretty strongly, especially if it’s been suppressed throughout the day.
And while that can lead to eating that feels “out of control”—kind of like when Kyle gets home from a night out and suddenly everything in the kitchen looks fair game—it’s actually a very normal physiological rebound response. The body is simply trying to make up for what it missed earlier. What makes this feel uncomfortable isn’t that something is wrong, but that the transition from “running on stress” to “suddenly hungry” can feel abrupt, especially after a long emotionally charged day.
What I’d Recommend on a Day Like This
All things considered, If I were the dietitian on set at the Summer House reunion, I would be thinking about stability in an unstable environment—and no this would not include West’s breakfast casserole. What I’d suggest in terms of food and nutrition is:
West and Amanda (high pressure/under fire energy)
These two “love birds” would likely be starting the day in a heightened stress response, which can blunt appetite early. My recommendation: eat something before stepping on set. Include protein and fiber-rich carbs so they’re not running on adrenaline alone. It’s hard to emotionally process betrayal on an empty stomach.
For Ciara (emotionally activated, firm boundaries energy)
She may experience more delayed hunger cues due to stress focus. I’d encourage her not to wait until she’s “won the argument” to eat, and to include grounding foods during breaks—something warm and satisfying that brings her back into her body.
For Carl (overstimulated observer, “I’m a mess” energy)
Even without being directly in conflict, proximity stress can lead to skipped meals or caffeine reliance. Small, consistent snacks throughout the day would help prevent the “iced coffee and concern” energy dip.
For Lindsay (confrontational, high-adrenaline energy)
With high activation, hunger cues often get muted. I’d recommend not relying on adrenaline as fuel and making sure there’s an intentional meal after filming instead of a reactive “I forgot I ate nothing all day” situation.
For Kyle (reactive, full-send energy)
Given the intensity, he may be prone to irregular eating patterns. The simplest recommendation: don’t go into a reunion day without a structured meal earlier on.
Everyone else
Sorry other cast members (yes, I see you Mia, KJ, Baily, Dara and I guess Levi), but you’re not important enough right now. So here are some general recommendations for you:
Eat something balanced earlier in the day before filming starts. Whether it’s a Greek yogurt bowl with fruit, eggs and toast or a bagel sandwich Carl picked up, start the day with something balanced.
Prioritize protein and fiber-rich carbs. During breaks I’d advise cast members not to reach for Loverboy but rather to grab veggies and hummus or whole grain crackers and tuna to sustain energy through long emotional stretches.
Don’t rely on caffeine alone. Though coffee delivered specifically by Andrea Denver (IYKYK) sounds great, relying on caffeine alone can amplify the stress response already present in a reunion setting.
Expect appetite to shift afterwards. While their drunk-eating shenanigans are not what we aspire to, normalizing responses similar to this instead of overcorrecting is best in this situation.
The Bottom Line
If there’s one thing I can guarantee about Summer house reunion day, it’s that nobody’s eating perfectly—but everyone’s nervous system are absolutely clocking in for overtime.
