County fair season is a time of excitement, offering rides, entertainment, and, of course, a tempting array of food. While many fair favorites are known for being high in fat, sodium, and sugar, it's still possible to enjoy the fair while making healthier choices. This article provides tips and suggests some options to help you navigate the fair food scene without completely derailing your healthy eating habits.
Mindful Eating at the Fair
Instead of meticulously counting calories or grams of fat, focus on eating slowly and paying attention to your body's signals. This mindful approach can help you enjoy your treats without overindulging.
Moderation is Key
It's important to remember that enjoying fair food is a treat and not an everyday occurrence. Maintaining a healthy diet involves regularly consuming fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fiber-rich foods, and sources of healthy fats and protein. Fair food falls into the category of foods to be enjoyed sparingly.
Strategies for Healthier Fairgoing
Here are some practical strategies to help you make better food choices at the fair:
- Eat Before You Arrive: A full stomach can lead to better food choices.
- Start with Exercise: Set a step goal or timer and only indulge after reaching it.
- Scope Out All Options: Before buying, explore all available options on your wish list and choose the most appealing one.
- Share the Experience: Share treats like a cone of cookies instead of consuming a whole bucket.
- Stay Hydrated: Water helps you feel full and can reduce the urge to make unhealthy choices. Be mindful of the calories in sweetened drinks.
Healthy Food Options at the Fair
Believe it or not, there are healthy food options available at the fair. Here are a few examples:
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- Grilled Peaches: A naturally sweet and satisfying treat.
- Salad on a Stick: A refreshing and customizable option.
- Roasted Corn: A classic choice, but go easy on the butter and salt.
- Giant Pickle on a Stick: A low-calorie and flavorful snack.
- Pork Chop on a Stick: A lean protein option.
- Turkey Legs and Steak Kabobs: Other protein-rich choices.
Specific Vendor Offerings
Some vendors offer unique and potentially healthier options:
- Athena's Whipped Feta: Provides protein and calcium.
- BABA'S Fawaffle: A falafel waffle for falafel enthusiasts.
- Rooted & Wild (Snack House)'s Deep-Fried Tofuego Bites: A vegan option served with pineapple and napa cabbage slaw.
A Look at Popular Fair Foods
Here's a breakdown of some popular fair foods and their nutritional information to help you make informed decisions:
- Elephant Ears: This flaky, fried treat has approximately 450 calories and 30 grams of fat.
- Funnel Cake: Each serving contains about 580 calories.
- Deep-Fried Oreos: A tray of five is equivalent to two elephant ears.
- Jumbo Corn Dog: Contains 375 calories and 21 grams of fat.
- Cotton Candy: While low in calories (around 220) and fat-free, it's high in sugar (56 grams).
- Kettle Corn vs. Caramel Corn: Kettle corn is a healthier option with about 35 calories and 2.5 grams of fat per cup, while caramel corn has nearly 1,000 calories and 23.7 grams of fat per cup.
- Deep-Fried Cheese Curds: Similar to funnel cake with 580 calories and 40 grams of fat.
- Deep-Fried Mac & Cheese: Can contain up to 1,000 calories per serving.
- Lemonade: Calorie count varies, but it's generally high in sugar.
- Candy Apples: A nostalgic treat to be enjoyed in moderation.
Tips for Indulging in Moderation
- Lemonade: Share a large lemonade or sip it slowly throughout the day.
- Candy Apples: Eat slowly and pay attention to how you're feeling.
Dietary Considerations
For those with specific dietary needs, such as Keto or Whole30, here are some options from the State Fair of Texas:
- Keto: Yoakum Packing Co. offers BBQ pork ribs, smoked brisket, sausage, beef jerky, and chicken on a stick. Smokey John’s BBQ has turkey legs and sausage on a stick.
- Whole30: Shrimp Doc offers a blackened shrimp baked potato (ask for no butter, sour cream, or cheese). Pearlies Southern Kitchen has smoked turkey and collard greens.
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