Better pick: Regular hot dogs and light beer
Grotto says enjoying a regular-sized hot dog (5 to 6 inches) and a small beer are fine. A regular dog on the bun with ketchup, relish and mustard comes in at around 280 calories. Pair it with a 12 oz light brew for another 100 to 120 calories. (Though you're going to want to ask about brands when you read What's Really In Your Hot Dog?)
2. At an outdoor concert
Calorie bomb: Frozen cocktails
What's often popular at these venues are "frozen everything" drinks, says Grotto. They can be fairly high in calories mostly because of the volume. A large frozen margarita can set you back 900 calories! Not to mention the fact that so much alcohol lowers inhibitions, you may start having a "Who cares?" mentality when deciding what to eat.
Better pick: Mojitos
This refreshing drink has about 170 to 230 calories and is usually made with light rum, lime or lemon juice, club soda, sugar, and fresh mint leaves. Choose the smallest size to save calories and keep from getting inebriated. If you are truly craving a margarita, order a small one on the rocks for a calorie range of 250 to 500 depending on the size. Remember, if you're thirsty and outside at an all-day concert, alcohol is the most dehydrating beverage you could have, says Grotto. Drink plenty of water to keep from getting parched. Or pregame with one of our 10 slimming smoothie recipes.
3. At the county fair
Calorie bomb: Giant fried drumsticks
These deep-fried turkey legs can clock in close to 1,000 calories, says Grotto.
Better pick: Chicken kabob
Choose grilled foods, like a 4 oz chicken kabob for 450 calories or a medium-sized corn on the cob (hold the butter) for 77 calories. Grotto also advises that you sit down and eat with a fork and knife because you're less likely to eat mindlessly.
4. At the carnival
Calorie bomb: Funnel cakes
Funnel cake is a food you definitely want to stay away from, says Grotto. "Anything with the F-word—fried—is going to be higher in calories per density." One 8.3 oz funnel cake (about the size of a regular paper plate) with powdered sugar is 658 calories.
Better pick: Cotton candy
If your sweet tooth is craving something decadent, Grotto suggests cotton candy. "It's pure spun sugar and about 16 calories per teaspoon." A small (about 1.5 oz) is around 150 calories. Share with your group and you'll eat fewer calories.
(Are you addicted to sugar? The Sugar Smart Plan can help you gain control once and for all.)
5. At the amusement park
Calorie bomb: Fresh-squeezed lemonade
Homemade lemonade on a hot summer day sounds refreshing (even healthy!), but this is one of the more deceiving drinks, says Grotto. Lemonade contains about the same amount of calories as a full-sugared soda. Guzzling 16 oz will set you back 200 to 250 calories, and no, this doesn't count as a serving of "fruit juice."
Better pick: Fruit-flavored water
Ask for ice water, lemon wedges or slices to squeeze and add artificial sweetener or two sugar packets for a tangy drink between 0 and 30 calories, says Grotto. Or, keep a few sugar-free single-serving drink mixes on hand to add flavor to your water bottle for 0 to 5 calories per serving. (Even better? One of these naturally slimming Sassy Water recipes.)
6. At seafood festivals
Calorie bomb: Fried everything
Grotto suggests avoiding fried foods at these warm-weather festivals. French fries (6 oz have 520 calories), crab cakes (a 3 oz crab cake can have between 160 to 200 calories), and hush puppies (5 small pieces are about 260 calories) won't help you reach your weight loss goals.
Better pick: Lobster and crab meat
Lobster and crab are fine as far as calories go, especially if you have to work at getting to the meat—you'll likely eat more if the meat is already pulled out of the shell for you. But beware of the dipping sauces and buttered-up vegetables that often come with. "It's not the lobster or crab, but the butter and the sides that will do you in," Grotto says.
7. At the movies
Calorie bomb: Super-sized servings
A large buttered popcorn at AMC Movie Theatres can have 1,640 calories and 126 g of fat in its 20-cup serving! If you quench your thirst with a "medium" 20 oz nondiet soda that adds another 250 calories. Says Grotto, "I get that it makes more financial sense to get the larger serving, but if you're going to do that, get two people to split a drink, and get the bucket that's shared by all."
Better pick: Kid-size combos
About 2 cups of popcorn, a small package of candy, and a small beverage are fine for a treat at the movies. At AMC Movie Theatres, a kid-size popcorn without butter has about 300 calories and 20 g of fat. (The buttered version of the kid's size adds 170 calories and 17 g of fat.)
8. At happy hour
Calorie bomb: Fried finger foods
Fried appetizers are definitely foods to avoid at the bar. "A lot of people get fried zucchini or fried mushrooms," says Grotto, thinking they're a "healthier" choice. "There's no calorie advantage to eating those foods versus fries or onion rings." Fried zucchini has about 346 calories for a 5 oz serving, fried mushrooms have 315 calories for a 5 oz serving, and onion rings have about 470 calories for a 5 oz serving.
Better pick: Veggies
"Order a relish or antipasto plate," says Grotto. Munch a few cheese cubes, pickles, olives, or chew on hard, crisp veggies like celery or carrots.
9. At a cocktail party
Calorie bomb: Bowls of snacks
The host generously made sure there were plenty of tasty snacks within every guest's reach at her party, but it's easy to overdo it if you're digging in mindlessly while you chat with friends. Twenty potato chips have about 200 calories, and a ½ c of dry-roasted, salted peanuts will set you back 427 calories. Not to mention those snacks will make you thirsty, causing you to drink your cocktail faster!
Better Pick: One handful of snacks
"Take a handful and remove the bowl from the table if you can," says Grotto. "If you're out with friends and they want to keep eating, dip your hand into the basket once, and that's that." Grotto suggests taking small bites and eating one chip at a time. "It won't make a difference in the calories, but you might be more cognizant of how much you're eating if you do that." Try to stick with 10 potato chips (100 calories) or 40 peanuts (237 calories) to keep from taking in too many calories.
