Firstly as I’ve discussed in numerous other articles on this site it is entirely possible to have the odd “sinful” thing in your summer diet plan.

I don’t think you should have to give up all your treats or else life can become pretty sterile.

It’s a case of everything in moderation and many diet experts - and little old me - suggest having one day a week - or at the least one meal a week - where you let yourself go a little.

As well as making the rest of the weeks “clean eating” easier to stomach (no pun intended!) - knowing you can have a guilt-free alcoholic drink on Saturday night for example so long as you behave yourself till then - there is another equally important reason.

When you consistently limit your calorie intake such as with a summer diet plan you can slow your metabolism down and reach a plateau.

You’re taking in less calories that before but as your metabolism has also slowed down you’re actually burning less too.

In this way your body can soon stop burning fat because it has got used to your new diet and no matter what you do you won’t lose weight.

Seems pointless doesn’t it?!

By having the odd “treat” and upping your calorie intake from time to time you “trick” your body and prevent it going into starvation mode.

You’ll keep your metabolism up and burn more calories than before.

Just do it in moderation. As I’ve said before I have been to the bar for a drink while on a diet and still managed to lose weight that week.

I just limited myself to 2 or 3 alcoholic drinks and went for a long run the next morning to burn off some extra calories.

It works - and for me following a “sin” with some vigorous exercise kind of “cancels out” the first one in my head and stops me feeling down about letting go!

But if you decide not to sin, or still want some non-alcoholic drink suggestions then here are some ideas…

The best thing to stick to are pure fruit juices and juice cocktails.

The very best are fruit juices you’ve squeezed yourself that day - and even better if you use 50% juice and add 50% iced water.

To some (me included, I have to admit!) it’s not as tasty but halves your calorie intake but not your fluid intake so you stay “satisfied” and hydrated.

Another smart tip when it comes to non-alcoholic diet drinks is you can make a rum-punch-like drink by mixing a variety of fruit juices (try pear, strawberry and apple in equal measures!) with coconut milk for a fantastically refreshing drink.

Lastly, coffee and tea can be drunk but with a caveat. Try getting used to skim milk, and as little sugar as possible. Even better try sweeteners. And remember that both of these drinks are diuretics so will dehydrate you so follow up with plenty of cool, fresh water.

Coffee has the added benefit of containing caffeine which will help speed up your metabolism and therefore in moderation should help you lose more weight on your summer diet (many diet pills contain caffeine as a key ingredient!).