But those frappéccinos, chips and ice cream cones can add up, leaving unwanted pounds by the time summer is over.

Cal State Northridge nutrition professor Deirdre Larkin has some tips for eating healthy while still enjoying the fun flavors of summer.

"Summer is one of the best times of the year for food," Larkin said. "There is so much fruit out there ‹ plums, nectarines, peaches, grapes. It's a summer bounty, particularly here in Southern California. It's a wonderful time to try new fruit, new flavors, new colors ‹ red peppers right now are so sweet. There are lots of alternatives to the fatty stuff. People just have to give it a try."

Larkin said summer is a particularly good time to introduce children to good eating habits because the flavors and options are so plentiful.

Instead of an ice cream cone for a cool treat, she suggests freezing some juice in small cups or an ice tray with Popsicle sticks stuck in them.

"You can even try yogurt for a creamier alternative," Larkin said. "These are easy things to make that are both cool and nutritious for kids."

If adults or kids want to snack, Larkin suggested fresh vegetables instead of chips.

"Carrot sticks and celery sticks are great," she said. "You don¹t even have to work hard at home any more to do this. Many stores sell baby carrots already peeled or vegetables already cut up in a bag. All you need to do is get a non-fat ranch dressing for a dip and you're set."

With the bounty of fruit available in Southern California, Larkin said summer is the perfect time to become adventurous.

"There are a whole slew of great berries out there and grapes come in a variety of colors now, many of which are seedless, peaches, nectarines and a whole variety of plums," Larkin said. "There's really no reason to rely only on the fatty things to have a great summer treat."

But if you're really craving something cold, thick and frothy, Larkin suggests making a smoothie with some of the great fruit out there.

"All you really need is a banana and juice or milk and frozen berries or other fruit. It's the banana that makes it thick," Larkin said. "A smoothie is much healthier for you than a milk shake and can be just as satisfying."

Larkin's fruit smoothie recipe:

8 oz. of low or non-fat milk
1 banana that's been put in the freezer for about 10 minutes
About 2 tablespoons of frozen berries

Peel the banana and put everything in a blender and whirl until everything is well mixed. Then pour it into a cup and enjoy. Serves one person.

Larkin suggested adding one teaspoon of vanilla if you want your smoothie sweeter or replacing the frozen berries with your favorite fruit and adding 2-3 ice cubes.