You don't need to starve yourself on a crazy fad diet if you want to look leaner and sexier in your shorts or swimsuit this summer. The secret to weight loss is to choose healthy foods and to take in fewer calories than you burn.

It's just easier to make better food choices in summertime, when heavy, high-calorie dishes seem less appealing. The best foods for weight loss in summer are light, refreshing and, most important, keep you out of the hot kitchen. It's just best to go fresh!

The single easiest way to trim calories from your summer diet, experts say, is to load up on nature's perfect foods. Produce is at its peak in summer. Delicious fruits and vegetables abound at farmers' markets and in your local grocery. Besides high in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, these foods choices are also much lower in calories than traditional comfort foods.

Any in-season produce is sure to taste delicious and add flavor to your favorite dishes in abundance. You will find that including these amazingly tasty fresh treats will begin to shrink your belly fat and give you more energy throughout your days.

Oranges and apples can be eaten for fall, and load up on fresh berries, melons, greens, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, beets, pea pods, and all the super-nutritious and low-calorie fruits, greens and vegetables that grow in your garden.

Be sure to visit your local farmers market if you have one and support the local farming community. You will not only save a TON of money by doing this, but you will be contributing to local produce supply which means fresher fruits and vegetables for you next season!

The fresher your choices are...the more your weight loss efforts will become apparent. All without using any extra crazy weight loss programs!

To keep your cool and cut your time in the kitchen, start with prepared produce, such as cut-up fruit and washed greens. Add rotisserie chicken, prepared soups, and pre-threaded kabobs when you need something a bit heartier. Pre-prepped foods may cost a little extra, but they save time in the kitchen.

Here are some great fat loss picks for some of the best foods to help with weight loss during the summer. Be sure to use your outdoor grill for a great change of taste!

Best Summer Weight Loss Food No. 1: Chilled Soups

All kind of produce in cold soups are great low-calorie dishes. Chilled soups like gazpacho or cucumber-dill that contain lots of chunky vegetables are a great way to start a meal.

Research shows that a low-calorie, broth-based soup at the beginning of the meal will fill you so you eat less at the meal. This is a common trick that celebrities use to slim don quickly.

Best Summer Weight Loss Food No. 2: Watermelon

Who doesn't love diving into a crisp, juicy slice of watermelon when it's hot outside? I know...crazy question.

Half of the watermelon comes from water. It's a wonderful way to satisfy thirst and a yen for something sweet. Be sure to choose organic produce sources for better tasting, healthier results. The biggest thing with fruit is to make sure that fruits are not genetically modified (GMO). They are usually higher in sugar.

Best Summer Weight Loss Food No. 3: Grilled Veggies

A plate of grilled vegetables is a summertime must-have if you want to turn up those fat burning abilities. Keeping a plate of grilled onions, bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, eggplant, asparagus, and garlic in your fridge is a great way to keep a healthy snack on hand whenever you need it.

Best Summer Weight Loss Food No. 4: Salads

Salads are probably one of the best diet quick fixes available. Including just 1-2 salads per day in your diet can be enough to start losing weight even if no other modifications are done to the diet. The key is that your diet must be done right!

To make a healthy salad give the produce a quick rinse; slice up some grilled chicken/beef, dice, toss fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds with some salad greens and a lemon and olive oil, light raspberry or ginger vinaigrette. The key is to avoid adding cheese or conventional dressings to your salad. They will ruin the fat burning properties of the salad.

Flavoring your salads with herbs from the garden so you can go light on the dressing is a good idea. When adding meats or fish to your salad you will find that the salad becomes very filling and satisfying.

Best Summer Weight Loss Food No. 5: Low- and No-Calorie Beverages

Stevia sweetened coffee drinks, teas and go down so easily, especially when it's hot outside. But the key is to use the herbal sweetener Stevia and avoid all processed sugar drinks and artificial sweeteners. Recent studies show that artificial sweeteners can be just as bad for your metabolism as sugar!

Beverages can be the sole reason for any summer time weight gain. So it's key to keep them in check by using water as your stable beverage of choice and only drinking sweeter drinks that you yourself have sweetened with your own Stevia packets.

Best Summer Weight Loss Food No. 6: Fruit-Based Desserts

Keep your cravings under control by substituting all sweets with healthier, natural solutions such as grilling fruit with your favorite meals. You will find that partially caramelized fruit can be a very satisfying and yummy alternative to ice cream. Also try cooling mashed avocados for a unique and tasty choice!