Don't let summer sabotage your diet: A few pitfalls to avoid

When it's hot out, big meals and cooking are just about the last thing I want to have anything to do with. Summer is a time of salads, fruit and anything cool from ice cream to iced beverages. While many of these summertime treats may sound light and healthy, there are often extra calories hidden in some of the season's food favorites. Check out this list to find out what to avoid in order not to ruin your healthy-eating plan:

• Salads - Sure most greens are great for you, especially when topped with a low-cal dressing, but beware of anything like coleslaw and potato salad that is full of high-fat, high-calorie mayonnaise.
• Hot dogs and hamburgers - To much of these much-loved summer foods can ruin a diet. You don't have to give them up though, just substitute in an alternative like turkey dogs or veggie burgers from time to time.
• Alcohol - I love a tasty daiquiri on a hot day as much as the next person but these types of icy, sugary drinks will result in a thicker waistline. As the piece points out, a chilled white wine or even beer, is much lower in calories.
• Iced Coffee - An easy culprit to fall for because few associate coffee with gaining weight? While a low-fat iced latte won't ruin your figure, too many of those large, syrupy iced-mocha's certainly will.
• Ice Cream - For some, avoiding ice cream all summer is not only impossible, it seems totally crazy. Rather than give it up completely, substitute a simple non-fat vanilla scoop for a heaping bowl of rocky road. Or try a fruit sorbet or low-fat frozen yogurt from time to time.

Have you found any of your favorite summer foods have been affecting your weight? And can you recommend a healthy substitute?