Considering the fact that we're all about indulging in Margaritas and strawberry shortcake during the summer months, getsugar called on The Sports Club/LA's registered and licensed dietician, Tom Reen, to tackle this one.

Plenty of us prepare for summer days at the beach by working out and eating right ahead of time. But summer holiday weekends are often the time when we let our healthy eating habits go by the wayside. Here are some easy-to-follow tips for staying healthy and fit this summer, without depriving yourself of great tasting foods.

1. Drink plenty of water; your body needs it to prevent dehydration during warm summer days. Take bottles of water with you, if you're going out for any length of time. Remember, infants and toddlers can become dehydrated much more easily than adults, so be sure they get lots of liquids.

2. Never go to a cookout hungry. Ravenous appetites lead to overeating. Eating an apple or a yogurt before you leave for the cookout will help curb your appetite and lead to more sensible eating.

3. While it's fine to treat yourself every once in a while, when you are reaching for something cool during the summer, look for alternatives to ice cream. Try sorbet, low-fat ice cream, or homemade popsicles made from fresh juice. Remember to watch the portions.

4. Some healthy meat alternatives from your average hot dog and hamburger include fish or skinless chicken breasts. For added taste, soak the meat in a marinade overnight and grill them to get that delicious BBQ taste. This way you can have healthy, nutritious food without sacrificing the taste.

5. Instead of reaching for some apple pie a la mode, make yourself a delicious fruit smoothie for dessert. There are an infinite amount of creative combinations for smoothies. How tasty can you make it?

6. Produce is at its peak during the summer months. Now is the perfect time to indulge in natures finest by eating the freshest vegetables. Instead of whipping up a batch of your famous potato salad for your next BBQ, put together a serving of mixed green salad. If you're up to the task, create your own salad dressing. Do an Internet search, or check out recipe books to get ideas for different variations of salads and dressings.