If anyone wonders where I am over the next few weeks, I suggest you check in the large freezer in the middle of Miles. If I can get away with it, I'll be making myself comfortable in between the tubs of ice cream.

Normally, the start of Bermuda's full-on summer is heaven for me, but at 35 weeks pregnant, it's actually a form of torture.

Now I know why some people plan their pregnancies so precisely here it has nothing to do with finances, and everything to do with avoiding waddling your way through July and August.

Next time (if there is a next time) I throw caution to the wind, I will give a little more thought to the seasons.

Being a pregnant nutritionist has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that I know exactly what I should be eating to nourish my littlest one.

The disadvantage is that I also know what I shouldn't be eating the problem being, that best practices and pregnancy cravings don't always match up.

Unfortunately when I was pregnant with Chloe, all I really wanted for the first three months were potato chips.

Although I didn't give in all the time, there were many, many days when I did, all fuelling my fears that she would be born with the Lays logo on her behind.

This time around has been just as tricky, but instead it's drinks that have been the problem.

Before you call social services, rest assured I'm not having a daily gin and tonic, but I am having a hard time avoiding sugary drinks.

And those of you that have been reading this column for a while will know that sugary drinks are very close to the top of my hit list.

While it's hard to beat Bermuda in the heat, summer time does pose a number of problems for us health wise.

Although we often eat less in the heat, we do tend to drink more more alcohol, more sodas, more iced tea, more punch and more juice.

The fact is that something with flavour is often a lot more thirst quenching than water.

However, not only is pure water the very best source of hydration, but the alternatives can be unhealthy in a number of ways.

As one small bottle of soda can contain up to 22 teaspoons of sugar (e.g. Sunkist or Nugrape), drinking sugary drinks is a fast track to weight gain.

Further, this quantity of sugar repeatedly dumped into your bloodstream can also stress out your insulin response, which over time, can be a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes.

So are fruit juice and diet drinks better options? Not necessarily. Although it arguably contains more vitamins and certainly contains less of the artificial nasties, 100 percent fruit juice — volume for volume — still has a similar impact on your blood sugar level.

And whilst diet drinks won't send your blood sugar level soaring, they contain artificial sweeteners and colourings that all have to be processed and detoxified by the body… a burden that we could all do without.

So what's the solution? If you do want something fruity, fizzy and refreshing, the simplest solution is to buy a good quality high-antioxidant fruit juice (e.g. the Pom brand of pomegranate juice) and dilute it (one-third juice max) with still or sparkling water.

This slashes the sugar content but still provides you with something to break the monotony of plain water. In addition, you're avoiding chemicals and taking in some beneficial antioxidants, so you don't have to feel too guilty.

However, it's important to note that ultimately you do still need to drink plain water too, and that you should try and keep your total juice intake for the day to something reasonable.

For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests a limit of four to six ounces of 100 percent pasteurised juice for children aged one to six, and eight to 12 ounces for older kids.

Remember that children under six months are not recommended to drink juice at all (although some doctors will suggest small amounts to treat constipation).

However, try and hold off giving your kids juice for as long as possible, and when you do allow it, try and dilute it to help moderate the development of their sweet tooth. As an adult, I suggest you also stick with a max of eight to 12 ounces juice daily.

Another tip I have for you is to make your own iced tea. Commercial iced tea is either packed with sugar or artificial sweeteners so beware.

This recipe however uses Rooibos tea (also known as Red or Redbush tea) which has a really great antioxidant content and is naturally caffeine free. This is one refreshing summer drink that you can feel seriously good about just remember to drink plenty of water too!

Rooibos Iced Tea –(serves 4)

You can buy Rooibos tea at some grocery stores and also at Down to Earth and other health food stores. If you are pregnant, please ensure you buy teas that only contain Rooibos leaves and not other herbs which may or may not be suitable for pregnancy.

Ingredients:

6 rooibos tea bags

4 mint leaves, torn

½ lemon, sliced

1 lime, sliced

1 orange, sliced

1-inch chunk of ginger, peeled and finely sliced

1 tbsp agave syrup

Pour 40 fl oz filtered, boiling water over tea bags in a glass/ceramic heat-resistant jug. Let the bags brew for 20 minutes, then squeeze the liquid from the tea bags and discard.

Add the sliced fruit and ginger and set aside until cool. Add the agave, stir well and then refrigerate until chilled. Pour over ice and garnish with the mint leaves. Sip and enjoy!

The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns BA Hons, Dip ION is a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist trained by the Institute of Optimum Nutrition in the U.K. Please note that she is not a registered dietician. She can be contacted at nourishbda@gmail.com.