Here's a boatload of smart swaps for the TOP ATE (in our opinion) typically fattening summer favorites. Read up...

Hot dogs are a staple at summer cookouts. Sadly, a basic dog on a bun will cost you around 350 calories and 20g fat... so imagine the stats for a fully loaded frankfurter! Even the wrong turkey dogs can be a diet disaster. (Sad but true.) Luckily, it's easy enough to bring along your own pack of no-guilt franks... Sharing encouraged!

Make 'Em: Whether you prefer beef, poultry, or meatless franks, we've got a guilt-free favorite for you. As for buns, look for light and/or high-fiber options. Ready to get a little crazy? Go Chicago-style with this swap, or try your dog the West Coast way... wrapped in bacon! Wanna skip the bun altogether? Try these unconventional recipes.

A mainstay at summertime BBQs, picnics, and get-togethers, this stuff is mainly carb-heavy taters slathered in a heavy mayo-packed dressing. A 2/3-cup scoop usually packs close to 300 calories and nearly 20g fat -- and it's just a SIDE DISH. Sheesh...

Make It: Our standard swap is outrageously good: I Can't Believe It's Not Potato Salad! Seriously, the taste is out of this world. This German-ish Potato-ish Salad is a fun spin on traditional spud salad. And if you have a copy of 300 Under 300, you MUST make the Vegged-Out Potato Salad!

While burgers are ubiquitous year-round, summer is prime time for the fresh-off-the-grill variety. But the average cheeseburger at a BBQ has 450 calories and 25g fat (sometimes MUCH more), and a basic hamburger isn't much better! A box of Boca Original Vegan Meatless Burgers is an easy swap to bring along to a cookout. Chances are, some vegetarian partygoers will thank you!

Make 'Em: For a classic beef burger with cheese, but without all the excess fat, click here. These stuffed-with-feta turkey patties are so flavorful, they barely need toppings. Zazzle up one of those Boca burgers with a recipe like this Island Insanity Burger. Or keep it low-carb, and swap your bun for cabbage leaves!

Another classic side dish. Sometimes it takes the form of a creamy macaroni salad, which can easily contain around 465 calories and close to 30g fat per cup. Other times, it appears innocent enough... but look out! Many non-creamy pasta salads are loaded with oil, packing about 360 calories and 20g fat per cup. Good thing we've got swaps...

Make It: Creamy-macaroni cravers will want to dive head first into this dish. Lovers of Italian-style pasta salad have this to chow on. And our BBQ Veggie Pasta Salad is completely unique and crazy-good!

Margaritas, daiquiris, mojitos... Sweet cocktails are especially appealing during hot summer months. But the alcohol itself is full of calories, and the fruity mixers are generally LOADED with sugar. HG tip: Lots of restaurants and bars are getting savvy to the slimmed-down cocktail game, so look for low-calorie finds before you order. And click here to read up on happy hour survival!

Make 'Em: Looking for a shortcut? Sinless Cocktails makes a great line of all-natural low-cal mixers, and Baja Bob's has been a go-to pick for years. For full-on recipes, try out a Lava Smash, Slammin' Slimmed-Down Strawberry Daiquiri, Watermelon Frojito, or any of these margaritas!

One thing you're sure to encounter at summer outings is DIP. Regular guacamole is fine in super-small portions... but the calories add up FAST! And just 2 tbsp. of ranch dip can have up to 120 calories and 12g fat. Luckily, we've got great recipes for you to bring to the party. (And click here for non-chip dippers!)

Make 'Em: Here are swaps for five popular party dips -- guacamole, onion dip, 7-layer dip (ours has EIGHT layers), spinach-artichoke dip, and bean dip. All of them will kick the pants off conventional versions.

That Starbucks Grande Iced Caramel Macchiato? It's got 230 calories and 6g fat. The McDonald's Small McCafé Frappé Mocha? 450 calories and TWENTY grams of fat. When you're on the go, skip the whip, choose nonfat milk, and ask about sugar-free options. At home? Keep reading...

Make 'Em: Here's our best list of must-have ingredients for making coffee-shop swaps. As for recipes, our Vanillalicious Cafe Freeze and Oh-So-Mocha-Coco Swappuccino are for blended-beverage lovers, and this Cherry Bomb Iced Mocha is for the over-ice crowd.

Summer cries out for handheld ice cream treats. We want sandwiches, bars, and cones (the stuff you get from the ice cream man), but we don't want high fat and calorie counts. Click here for our favorite store-bought treats. As for recipes...

Make 'Em: That's right, you can TOTALLY make your own! Nutty chocolate-covered frozen bananas will satisfy all your cravings. And if you like ice cream sandwiches, we've got you covered -- recipes with graham crackers, VitaTops, and even rice cakes!

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