Surviving Summer Music Festivals With Your Diet Intact

Music and sunshine are two of the greatest things on earth, and when they come together during the summer festival season, well, life doesn't get much more perfect.

But while it's true that both music and the great outdoors are good for the soul, your body might not agree. Beer gardens and carnival-style deep fried food options will leave your Buddha belly begging for a salad, and although you'll score points for lots of walking, sitting in the grass listening to tunes doesn't exactly burn calories.

If you're planning on hitting up some summer music gigs, keep these healthy tips in mind:

Don't forget your sunscreen. Obviously.

Do wear comfortable shoes. Yeah, those hiking sandals might not go with your maxi dress, but they'll look pretty good after six hours in the mosh pit. Plus, you won't mind doing your fair share of walking so you'll be more likely to get some gentle exercise in.

Don't settle for the first food stall you see. That hot dog might look tasty, but chances are a little exploration will lead you to some healthier -- and tastier -- options. Many festivals feature lots of vegan, vegetarian and ethnic cuisine that will probably be both tastier and less calorie-dense than the traditional fried food and pizza offerings. Bonaroo in Tennessee is one prime example -- its line-up of eats is heavy on southern favorites like po'boys and fried catfish, but also has healthier options available like freshly grilled shish kabobs.

Do drink lots of water. It's important to stay hydrated when you're out in the sun, and plenty of water will curb your appetite too. This is especially important if you're drinking alcohol.

Don't be afraid to dance. Let loose! Dancing for a couple of hours can burn 800 calories. Just do it safely -- you don't want to get sidelines by an injury.

Do check if you can bring your own food. Festival food is notoriously over-priced. Some events like Coachella and Lilith Fair don't allow outside food and drink, but others like Bumbershoot in Seattle allow you to bring your own picnic.

But even if you can't pack you're own lunch, it's not a disaster -- healthy options are taking this year's music season by storm. Lollapalooza's "Chow Town" offers their own Farmer's Market with fresh produce, plus several cafe-style eateries where there's sure to be a fresh sandwich or salad for sale. But as is the case with most festivals, fresh and healthy meals are served alongside less stellar choices like pizza, burritos, hot dogs and even cupcakes. Festival-goers should watch out for these edible hazards, particularly if they've spent the afternoon in the beer garden.

Festivals that encourage fitness also get our seal of approval. At Waderlust Festival in Squaw Valley, Calif., festival-goers spend their day doing yoga and their evenings rocking out to live music. How awesome is that?! And Camp Bisco in Albany features a full array of activities like volleyball, dodge ball, tug-o-wars and even a marathon. And you can bring your own healthy food.

Bringing your own eats might seem like a pain, but it has some definite healthy benefits that go beyond calories. Fact is, unless you've cooked something yourself, you can't be truly certain it was prepared safely. Case in point: A salmonella outbreak occurred at the Sasquatch Festival at the Gorge earlier this year -- and food poisoning is definitely one souvenir you don't want to bring home from an amazing concert.

Looking for an extra comfy pair of sandals to rock during a festival? Check out our review of OKA b. Malia flip flops.