Fayette County Fair

A few years ago I wrote an article for the Herald Standard about being "healthy" at the fair. I thought I'd share it again since it is that time of year (although I did have to delete some year specific info)....



It’s time for funnel cakes, fried dough, fried vegetables, candied apples, huge lemonades
hot sausages, and everything on a stick! The Fayette County Fair offers many tempting
treats for fairgoers. These tempting treats, however, can quickly sabotage anyone’s
efforts to eat healthy or keep off extra pounds. If you are at the fair, it is okay to indulge
on one of these treats or maybe even two. Just don’t overdo it. Believe it or not, there are
ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and still enjoy what the fair has to offer.

While many foods at the fair are high in fat and calories, the good news is that you can
burn off the calories by walking through the fairgrounds. Even a slow stroll through the
exhibits for an hour can burn around 260 calories or enough to burn off a candied apple.
For those of you that are ambitious, walk through the fair grounds for 3 hours without
stopping. You will burn off the calories in the irresistible funnel cake. Remember, those
three hours will only burn off the calories from the funnel cake, not the drinks and
other foods too. Another way to burn off some of the calories you consume at the fair is
attending one of the shows in the indoor area or fiddler’s building. Don’t sit in your seat.
Instead, dance for an hour to burn another 300 calories or more.

Another option might be to share your favorite treats with a friends and family. Sharing
is a great way to limit portion sizes and help cut back on fat, calories and added sugars.
If you want to try to find a healthy option at the fair, it is possible. Be sure to visit the
churches and services clubs when making your food choices. Some of these popular fair
vendors offer fruit cups, vegetables, and even sugar free desserts. Be on the look out for
added fats, however. While some vegetables may be healthy, when they are fried, they
are also high in fat an calories. Also be sure to drink water. It can be hot at the fair and
the sodas and lemonades can add sugar and calories quickly.

If you forgo eating healthy or trying to burn calories at the fair, there are other ways
to learn about living a healthy lifestyle throughout the fairgrounds. Look for exhibits
on diabetes. Have your blood pressure checked. You can even learn
gardening tips for growing fresh vegetables and bring the fair’s agricultural message to
your own backyard. While you may not be healthy at the fair, you can learn tips that you
can use to keep you healthy until next year.