Monday, September 19, 2016
Tips to find healthier food at fairs
There is simply nothing quite as mouthwatering as traditional fair food. Hot dogs, ice cream and fried dough tempt fair goers at every corner. Name a food to deep-fat-fry, and you will probably find it at a fair. Fortunately, fairs offer so much more than fried food.
If you are watching your waistline you can still sample the finest fair foods without sabotaging your diet. Here’s how:
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. Nuts are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates to keep you feeling full. Twenty-four almonds, the amount that fits in the palm of your hand is a low calorie snack that is also rich in heart healthy fats, so buy a small bag and share with 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’s it take to burn 300 calories? The average person would have to walk for an hour at 3.5 miles-per-hour. So grab that FitBit before you go.
Looking for a healthier way to cool off? Try frozen lemonade which as has only 110 calories in an eight-ounce cup.
At the Big E, don’t miss out on the Avenue of States, six buildings that represent the states of New England. Here you can step inside each 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-three 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 is that you can sample whatever you like as long as you eat it in moderation. So if you buy a higher calorie food such as a turkey leg or cream puff, share it with friends. Then burn off the extra calories by walking around the fair.
Brenda Viens is a registered dietitian at Backus Hospital and Thames Valley Council for Community Action. This advice should not replace the advice of your personal health care provider. To comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.healthydocs.blogspot.com or e-mail Ms. Viens or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org.
If you are watching your waistline you can still sample the finest fair foods without sabotaging your diet. Here’s how:
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. Nuts are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates to keep you feeling full. Twenty-four almonds, the amount that fits in the palm of your hand is a low calorie snack that is also rich in heart healthy fats, so buy a small bag and share with 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’s it take to burn 300 calories? The average person would have to walk for an hour at 3.5 miles-per-hour. So grab that FitBit before you go.
Looking for a healthier way to cool off? Try frozen lemonade which as has only 110 calories in an eight-ounce cup.
At the Big E, don’t miss out on the Avenue of States, six buildings that represent the states of New England. Here you can step inside each 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-three 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 is that you can sample whatever you like as long as you eat it in moderation. So if you buy a higher calorie food such as a turkey leg or cream puff, share it with friends. Then burn off the extra calories by walking around the fair.
Brenda Viens is a registered dietitian at Backus Hospital and Thames Valley Council for Community Action. This advice should not replace the advice of your personal health care provider. To comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.healthydocs.blogspot.com or e-mail Ms. Viens or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org.
# posted by ----------------- @ 12:07 PM 
