Fair Food ?

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Replies

  • kehuizenga
    kehuizenga Posts: 151
    I went to the fair this weekend and had a pulled pork sandwich with baked beans. Certainly not great but I had a very light lunch and went for a run in the morning. I also had a frozen banana for a treat :) As others have suggested, pork chops, turkey legs, and corn are other healthier options.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,409 Member
    I can't believe you guys are saying "Bring your own food" to the FAIR. Wha????? You are no longer invited!! :grumble:
  • hlp423
    hlp423 Posts: 41 Member
    Well I used my fair day as a splurge and I just split everything I wanted with my BF. Whomever suggest the Turkey Leg think twice... That thing had like 7000 mg of sodium in it and over 1200 cals. lol
  • themdg
    themdg Posts: 10 Member
    I wish our local County Fairs in Utah weren't so silly. I miss the Fairs that all of your are describing from when I lived in Indiana. Elephant-Ears? Yes, please.
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    My family is going to the fair for a while, and it will be too long to avoid eating.. I'm kinda worried about blowing my calories haha. Anyone know any low calorie foods that are at the fair..if that exists lol.

    No. That's sacrilege and I demand you retract that concept immediately. :laugh:

    I go to the fair once a year. I eat a big massive sausage covered with onions and peppers in a huge white roll. I have fried dough (shared with others). I have kettle corn. And, more often than not, I have something with lots of ice cream (this year it was a HUGE root beer float - haven't had one of those since I was a kid).

    I also eat healthy food for the remainder of my day, and drink lots of water.

    It's once a year. Even if I managed to eat an additional 3,500 calories over and above my budget, I'd be putting on one pound.

    Just don't make a habit of it, and you'll be fine.
  • Woly1
    Woly1 Posts: 16
    I just went to the fair yesterday...I'm proud to say I did not stray from my low-carb plan! I ate a big protein-filled meal beforehand and had a chicken skewer at the food court. I brought my own almond fruit bar for "dessert" for when my friends were eating funnel cakes-- they laughed at me but that's okay :)
  • stephyy4632
    stephyy4632 Posts: 947 Member
    its one day enjoy it

    I went to the fair two weeks ago and had half a funnel cake , a pepsie 20oz and didn`t regret it for a second I ate my main meal before I went but even if I hadn`t I would not have worried about one fair meal out
  • GretchenReine
    GretchenReine Posts: 1,374 Member
    fair food only comes around like never lol indulge!!! all that walking burns off some of it anyway


    i just went and had some deep fried oreos. OMG.


    You win!!! I'm sure those oreos were super yummy!!!
  • NikkiSixGuns
    NikkiSixGuns Posts: 630 Member
    Good for you that you're planning for it! It is so easy to overdo it at the fair. I'm not a big fan of the "it's a special occasion so treat yourself" logic. I stopped thinking of food as a treat before I made my journey, so skipping the bad stuff doesn't feel like I'm missing out on any kind of a reward or goodie. Besides - I always feel disgusting after I eat stuff that I knew was loaded but I just didn't want to resist at the time... Makes my next day's workout a total chore!

    Walking around burns off some calories, but it's at such a slow pace that it burns very little (IMO) so I don't even count it.

    There are a few healthier options if you look around:

    - BBQ places often have grilled chicken sandwiches. Ditch 1/2 the bun, skip the mayo and cheese, go light on the BBQ sauce & you're pretty safe. The chicken there is always AWESOME so you don't have to worry about lack of flavor.

    - There are lots that now offer fresh fruit bowls. Even a couple of chocolate-dipped strawberries is a nice indulgence without going overboard.

    - Shish-kabobs and fajitas are also better options. I skip the pita bread that comes with the kabobs and the tortilla with the fajitas.

    - A really small soft-serve is also a nice treat.

    - I skip everything that's fried with one exception: my husband and I always share a small funnel cake with my parents.

    I also recommend taking your own snacks. Pretzels for when you want something salty, fruit to help fill you up, and a protein bar or sweet granola bar for the sweet tooth. It's easier to resist the bad stuff when your tummy isn't growling. Also drink lots of water and bring your own diet sodas if you like them. I know some people think it's bad, but diet soda is my crutch when I feel like eating something that's loaded.

    Have fun!
  • shabaity
    shabaity Posts: 792 Member
    diabetic or not im not giving up my funnel cakes i get those things only at fairs dang it i just split it with some one or give half to any kids we have with us
  • JossFit
    JossFit Posts: 588 Member
    turkey leg, corn on cob

    Actually those turkey legs are about 1100 cals each, believe it or not.
  • juliesmom2
    juliesmom2 Posts: 20 Member
    Our fair had shave ice this year...the Hawaiian answer to a sno cone... A big one has about 1/8 cup Torani syrup (80 calories) and about two cups of finely shaved ice (much finer thatn sno cone) and if you get a sugarfree syrup its guilt-free, lasts a long time and is hydrating as well.

    According to cottoncandy.net a 1 ounce cone of cotton candy (about the size you get at the fair) has around 100 calories (2 TBS sugar which is less sugar than a nondiet can of pop).

    Kettle Corn has 130 calories for a two cup serving which also isn't bad.

    Stay hydrated! I took my own disposable water bottle with me and refilled at the drinking fountains...

    That being said...my two bites of funnel cake and three onion rings tasted pretty good!
  • NikkiSixGuns
    NikkiSixGuns Posts: 630 Member
    turkey leg, corn on cob

    Actually those turkey legs are about 1100 cals each, believe it or not.

    Thank you! I was just about to say the turkey legs are NOT safe! You're actually better off getting a small funnel cake (at least according to my calorie counter book).
  • I don't typically try to "out-train my diet" so I found the one thing that fit into my eating plan and had that. I don't do carbs after lunch so I has a taco salad with no shell and it was great!
  • GlitterMamma11
    GlitterMamma11 Posts: 143 Member
    Share the food with someone? An Elephant Ear is the perfect snack for our family of four. We all share an order of curly fries and my Husband and I split a burger. :o) The Fair only comes once a year here so I let it be a cheat day and just enjoy!
  • arianamari3
    arianamari3 Posts: 26 Member
    Look for lean grilled meats (think kabobs), and if possible, bring a water bottle that you can refill. You may even be able to pack your own food or easy snacks to keep in a purse. Don't deny yourself a treat though. Pick one thing to share with someone and have fun :)
  • anacsitham5
    anacsitham5 Posts: 810 Member
    :blushing: Sorry, I'm no help. I wait all year for the ribbon fries, chicken pita with cucumber dressing and fried dough. I got in exercise that day so I actually wasn't over. It was so worth it
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    First, it's a special occassion . . .

    That said . . .

    ICE CREAM! Tastes good, not that fattening. Even has nutritional value. Get a single scoop or kiddy cone. Put strawberries on it. Skip the syrup.

    A lot of fairs have fruit cups, which are yummy and good for you.

    A hot dog or sausage aren't great for you, but they're only 200-300 calories. Get one on a stick and skip the roll.
  • happyfeetrebel1
    happyfeetrebel1 Posts: 1,005 Member
    The fair!! :love:

    Deep fried candy bar, cheese curds and cheese on a stick. I'ma be in SO much trubble :)

    I just bought my admission tickets at the store a few minutes ago. I also bought watermelon and grapes, which are what I'm gonna have to eat for the next week to make up for the crap at the FAIR!

    MMMMM
  • a turkey leg i read online today has over 1,000 calories!! and like, 50 something grams of fat! whoa!
  • Eat a nice healthy lunch before you go and pack an orange and apple to take along. Resist funnel cakes at all costs.
    Or do what I did and work out for 2 hours before you go.

    This! I actually had about 1/3 of a funnel cake and was ok with it. Didn't thrill me as much as it did when I ate more sugary stuff. I worked out really hard before we went though. ;)
  • jpohoney
    jpohoney Posts: 66 Member
    We are going to the fair next week and we are going to bring out own lunch and going to eat dinner outside the fair just to save money so we can afford some treats. I am going to try one treat I am not sure yet what. I don't want to ruin my day with an upset tummy!
  • Also meant to add that I totally brought my lunch and ate it. I don't care for most of the traditional fair foods though I did have a few bites of the turkey leg hubby bought.
  • I'm going to the Iowa State Fair Sunday..I plan on gaining one pound from all the crap I will be eating but..it's fine. YOLO!