Do people tend to gain weight in the summer?

Yes, many people do gain weight, even though they're more active outdoors. Barbecues, company picnics, weddings, baseball games and cottage weekends usually mean more food. Many of us unknowingly increase our calorie intake by sipping alcoholic beverages. Unless you're balancing those summer calories by stepping up your exercise program, you could end up putting on a few extra pounds this season

What role does alcohol play in summer weight gain?

Alcohol can lead to weight gain because it contains calories and because it enhances your appetite. The calories in alcoholic beverages come from alcohol, which contributes 7 calories per gram compared to 4 calories per gram for protein and carbohydrate. And many summer drinks have even more calories from sugar. For instance, a vodka cooler can have as many as 8 teaspoons of sugar per bottle (Smirnoff ICE).

Plus, drinking alcohol revs up your appetite and can trigger overeating. And the bad news, alcohol calories store more readily around the abdomen, especially if when you drink, you consume more than 3 to 4 drinks.

Which are the most fattening summer cocktails?

In generally, every 5-ounce glass of wine, 1.5 ounces of hard liquor or 12-ounce bottle of light beer has roughly 100 calories (regular beer delivers 150 calories per 12-ounce serving). If you add a sugary mixer to your spirits, you'll end up consuming more calories. Here's a look at some of the worst summer cocktails when it comes to calories:

Worst summer cocktails:

• Margarita (made with premix): 740 calories, 14 tsp of sugar
• Long Island Iced Tea: 780 calories, 11 tsp of sugar
• White Russian: 425 calories, 6.5 tsp of sugar
•  Mai Tai: 350 calories, 7.5 tsp of sugar
• Smirnoff Ice: 310 calories, 8 tsp of sugar

Consider that one donut has about 250 calories – a Margarita is the calorie equivalent of three glazed donuts!

What are some lighter options if you are watching your calories?

Many companies now have a lighter option in the cooler department. Light coolers have considerably fewer calories because they are made with artificial sweeteners instead of sugar. Here's a look at some lower calorie summer cocktails:

Lighter summer cocktails:

• White Wine Spritzer: 50 calories
• Molson Canadian 67: 67 calories
• Mike's Light: 80 calories
• Cosmopolitan: 150 calories
• Mojito: 160 calories

What are some strategies to help keep the alcohol calories to a minimum --- and be safe if you're driving?

• Eat before you drink. If you drink on an empty stomach, the alcohol will be absorbed in your bloodstream faster, making you more apt to overeat fattening foods.
• Dilute your drink. Choose cocktails like vodka and soda, rum and diet Coke, or a white wine spritzer.
• Limit yourself to no more than one drink per hour. It takes an hour for your body to metabolize one alcoholic drink. Drinking more often will result in a higher blood alcohol concentration, not to mention a weaker resolve to eat moderately. To slow your pace, drink two glasses of water between alcoholic drinks. This will also help to keep you hydrated.
• Avoid mixing liquor with caffeine-laced energy drinks (e.g. Red Bull, Sobe Adrenaline Rush, Hype). The stimulant effects of energy drinks can mask how intoxicated you are. And since both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, dehydration can hinder the body's ability to metabolize alcohol, increasing your blood alcohol level. Keep in mind that a Vodka and Red Bull has 209 calories and 6.5 teaspoons worth of sugar,