Best And Worst Foods Of Summer

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. Worst: Ice cream sandwich 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% 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. Worst: Fried dough 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. Best: Corn on the cob Corn on the cob without butter or salt is a high-fiber, low-calorie food. We love shaving some off the cob into salads, using it for healthy salsas, and grilling it � just don�t overdo the butter! Tip: choose the yellow variety over the white kind for added vitamin A. Best: Watermelon Popping some watermelon into your mouth is a great way to rehydrate after a long day in the sun. True to its name, watermelon is over 90% water. It�s also an even better source of cancer-fighting lycopene than raw tomatoes. At just 44 calories a cup, there�s no reason not to bite into this summery fruit.