Summer time is a great period for kids to get out of the house and become active in the fresh air.

However, while their active lifestyle is great for their health, they often undo all of the good work by indulging in they typical summer time diet.

Hot dogs, cake, ice-cram, chips, sweets, meat pies, gelato and chocolate are some of the many foods kids love to eat around the festive season, and while it is great to enjoy yourself while on holiday, it is not good to get in a bad habit of carrying it over into your everyday life.

What parents need to understand is that there are many substitutes to choose from when spoiling your kids with food.

The following is a list of foods and treats to serve up to your children during the hotter months.

Watermelon – A great way to hydrate your young ones while supplying them with the sugar they crave.

Fresh Lemonade – One of the greatest refreshments during any time of the year. This beverage is healthy for your kids and great at quenching that sweet thirst they will always seem to have.

Pancakes - A great meal to substitute for cakes and other high fattening sweets. Can be a breakfast meal or a desert. Just watch out for the toppings and limit the honey and cream.

Fish – While everyone will want a greasy, fat filled burger from time to time, try to encourage them to have a freshly grilled flake. It has half the fat and carries more protein than the former.

Fruit – I could name all the refreshing and exotic fruits here, but I’ll just put them in a general category. They are all great during summer!!