There is simply nothing quite as mouthwatering as traditional fair food. Hot dogs, ice cream and fried dough tempt fairgoers at every corner. Name a food to deep-fat-fry, and you will probably find it a fair (even cheesecake!). Fortunately, fairs offer so much more than fried food and you can sample the finest fair foods without sabotaging your lifestyle goals. Here are a few tips.
Review the list of food vendors before you go to the fair. Search for a local restaurant or catering company and check out the menu online. These vendors tend to offer healthier options and cuisine that is unique to the rest of the fair including: salads, smoothies and vegetarian options.
Look for roasted nuts. A hand full of nuts, about twenty-four almonds, is a low calorie snack that is also rich in heart healthy fats and complex carbohydrates to keep you feeling full. So buy a small bag and share with it friends!
Find a baked-potato vendor. Potatoes are a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C. Choose toppings wisely because this light meal can turn into a calorie bomb. Skip the sour cream and ask for half the cheese to save 200-300 calories. What does it take to burn 300 calories? The average person would have to walk one hour at 3.5 mph (think power walk!). So grab that FitBit before you go!
Looking for a healthier way to cool off? Try Del’s Frozen Lemonade, which as has only 110 calories in an 8-ounce cup.
Check out Avenue of States at the Big E. in West Springfield, Massachusetts, where you can step inside each New England state building to sample local produce, such as blueberries, raspberries and apples. You can also visit the Maine building to try smoked salmon on a stick. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and only 350 calories, this is a healthy choice compared to a smoked turkey leg that weighs in at a hefty 1,135 calories.
The bottom line? Savor food and share it with friends and family!