The Pasco County Fair is back! That means a jam-packed day of food and fun with your friends and family. However, for those who are still trying to eat “clean,” the fair is a hard place to keep up that lifestyle! You are bombarded with many fried and sugary options, such as French fries, cotton candy, deep-fried Oreos®, funnel cake, corn dogs, ice cream, sodas, and countless other options, and it’s pretty easy to give in and have one of these items. When walking around the fair, there isn’t much for healthy choices. There are a few, however. One food vendor sold whole fresh apples, and other vendors sold a veggie “stir fry,” of mushrooms, onions, and green peppers, and is flavored with seasoned salt (so just be mindful for those who are watching their sodium intake). Some better options would be kebabs because they are served with vegetables or a sandwich wrap with chicken or turkey. There was also a food vendor that sold fruit smoothies, but it’s made with a fruit-flavored syrup, not the actual fruit. So, if looking to stay hydrated, your best bet is the obvious choice: water.

All in all, if you are trying to stick to healthy food options, you’re better off arriving at the fair on a full stomach so that you’re not tempted to break your habits. Moderation is okay, of course, and so it’s okay to cheat and enjoy a snack, just try not to make it a full day’s worth of calories; one way to do this is by sharing food items with the people you’re with (Byrd, 2013). You can also pack your own healthy snacks in a backpack/purse, such as fruit, whole wheat crackers with peanut butter, your own popcorn, etc. Fair food can have anywhere from 400 to 1300 calories per serving, along with 20 to 60 calories (Byrd, 2013). Enjoy your time at the fair, and indulge healthily.

References:

Byrd, L. (2013). County fair food: How to make healthy food choices. Retrieved from http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/county_fair_food_how_to_make_healthy_food_choices

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