17 Best and Worst Foods of Summer

July 13, 2013— -- intro: It's kind of a myth that summer means more exercise and healthier food choices for everyone. One eye-opening study found that kids gain weight three times faster over summer than they do the rest of the school year, thanks to a steady diet of junk food and video games.

And while there's no comparable stat on grown-ups and weight gain, barbecues, state fairs, and waterside food vendors offer plenty of temptation. Here are the summer foods you should always avoid, and healthier options you can feel free to enjoy.

quicklist: 1category: Best and Worst Foods of Summertitle: Worst: Ice Cream Sandwichurl:text: What's better than two cookies sandwiching vanilla ice cream, especially when the cookies are chocolate chip? Well, actually, pretty much anything is better for you, because this treat usually packs nearly 500 calories and gets a whopping 60 percent of it's melt-in-your mouth flavor from saturated fat.

A better idea: Make your own ice cream sandwiches using lower-fat sorbet. Better yet, skip the cookie and try one of our picks for America's Healthiest Ice Creams .

The Must-Eat List

quicklist: 2category: Best and Worst Foods of Summertitle: Worst: Fried Doughurl:text: A staple at summer fairs and carnivals, fried dough is simply nutritional napalm and definitely belongs on our list of 50 Fattiest Foods In the States.

Deep-fried flour, butter, shortening, and sugar may sound like something you can get away with once or twice a year, but keep in mind that fried and battered foods are among the worst sources of trans fat.

While trans fat can be tasty, it raises bad cholesterol, lowers the good kind, and can increase inflammation in your body. Bottom line: fried dough doesn't belong in anyone's diet.

Healthy Cooking Tips from Fabio Viviani

quicklist: 3category: Best and Worst Foods of Summertitle: Worst: Corn Dogsurl:text: Which state invented the corn dog? Texas claims to have unveiled this deep-dried fat bomb at a state fair in 1942, but Minnesota wants credit too. But why boast? Anything deep-fried is usually best to avoid, but this snack is in its own category, packing about 20 grams of fat and loads of sodium.

A better idea: Choose a hot dog under 150 calories and 14 grams of fat, and limit sodium to under 450 milligrams. And have it on a whole grain bun.

Best and Worst Hot Dogs

quicklist: 4category: Best and Worst Foods of Summertitle: Worst: Lobster Rollsurl:text: If lobster rolls sound like a lean and healthy alternative to a hamburger, consider how these seaside treats are assembled: Lobster is mixed with mayonnaise, then nestled inside a well-buttered white bread bun for a fat-clogged sandwich that weighs in at over 400 calories, more than half of which comes from fat.

A better bet: Try making lobster rolls at home, where you can use just a dash of low-fat mayo, put them on a whole-wheat roll, and limit or even eliminate the butter.

10 Fish You Should Avoid (and Why)

quicklist: 5category: Best and Worst Foods of Summertitle: Worst: Fried clamsurl:text: A few fried clams are fine to share with friends, but don't make a meal of them. One 3/4 cup serving of this fried seafood packs nearly 500 calories and a whopping 26 grams of fat. A better bet is to eat them cooked but not deep-fried.

Cooked clams pack protein and are one of the best sources of vitamin b12 which is vital for a healthy nervous system and to prevent anemia.

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