We are approaching fair time! In my neck of the woods it’s the California State Fair. Along with the many amazing attractions, animals and exhibits is the concession area – yep, you guessed it - food! In fact, rows and rows food!
If you are headed to your local or state fair with family and friends, you’re likely to be tempted by the numerous fried options that smell delicious upon passing by. While an occasional splurge won’t put a stall in your healthy effort, continually indulging may. Below is a list of fair don’ts and fair do’s showcasing what is on the menu this year. You just might need a little help navigating the stretch of food vendors.
Walk of Shame
Choose these cautiously – fried anything is popular at fairs. And the more bizzare, the more popular it is! Take a look and compare the calories with how much walking it would take to burn off the calories eaten – which might make you reconsider.
- Deep Fried Alligator: 600 calories and 39 grams fat. It would take almost 3 hours of walking to burn this off.
- Fried Onion Blossom: 1320 calories and 72 grams fat! It would take 4 hours and 25 minutes of walking to burn this off.
- Giant Turkey Leg: 1,136 caloriezs andz 54 g fat. It would take over 5 hours of walking to burn this off.
- Fried Cola Dough (as if the liquid stuff isn’t enough!): 830 calories per cup. It would take almost 4 hours of walking to burn this off.
- Funnel Cake: 760 calories and 44 grams fat. It would take 2 hours and 50 minutes of walking to burn this off.
- Pizza: more like colossal sized slice at 667 calories and 24 grams fat. It would take 3 hours of walking to burn this off.
- Chilled Chocolate Covered Bacon (I’m not kidding!): 638 calories and 49 grams fat. It would take a little over 3 hours of walking to burn this off.
- Curly Fries: 620 calories and 30 g fat. It would take 2 hours and 10 minutes of walking to burn this off.
- Fried Twinkie: 420 calories and 34 grams fat. It would take 1 hour and 25 minutes of walking to burn this off.
- Fried Snickers: 444 calories and 29 grams fat. It would take 1 hour and 30 minutes of walking to burn this off.
- Caramel Apple: 298 calories and 1 g fat. It would take you 1 hour and 22 minutes of walking to burn this off. Bring a real apple instead!
Walk of Fame (well…almost!)
These picks still let you indulge but won’t break the bank! You can easily plan these into your day. Take your pedometer along too for extra fair walking encouragement.
- Watermelon Wedge: 86 calories and 0 g fat. It would take 24 minutes of walking to burn this off.
- Grilled Pineapple: 91 calories, 2 g fat. It would take about 30 minutes of walking to burn this off.
- Cotton Candy: 171 calories and 0 grams of fat. It would take 35 minutes of walking to burn this off.
- Chocolate Covered Frozen Banana: 240 calories and 4 grams of fat (plus a fruit serving!). It would take 50 minutes of walking to burn this off.
- Corn on the Cob (without butter): 180 calories and 2 grams fat. It would take 55 minutes of walking to burn this off.
- Chicken Taco: 210 calories and 12 grams fat. It would take 58 minutes of walking to burn this off.
- Chili: 280 calories and 11 g fat. It would take 1 hour and 17 minutes of walking to burn this off.
- Soft Pretzel: 340 calories and 2 g fat. It would take 1 hour and 34 minutes of walking to burn this off.
Eat Right Fair Tips:
- Know your choices. Walk around the food court to evaluate your choices or browse the fair web site.
- Will you be visiting the fair multiple times? Limit yourself to one true splurge.
- Have a snack before you go. Try a protein-carb combo and the treats will be a little less tempting!
- Share higher calorie treats with a friend.
- Stick with water as your beverage choice and save the calories for food!
For More Information:
www.calorieking.com
www.eatright.org
www.eatthis.menshealth.com
Please note: The information in this article is not to be followed asmedical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your physicianor primary health practitioner for information regarding your own personalhealth and necessary treatments.
