Tasty options at the fair
The Oklahoma State Fair is a popular autumn right of passage. Rides and prizes ay attract the revellers, but fairs also are great places to enjoy mouth-watering food. All Fairgoers know that part of the fun is getting to experience all of the incredible, delicious, and often deep-fried foods vendors have to offer, and this year is no exception. Starting today fair-goers have 10 days to enjoy a variety of food and events offered at the fair. Including new flavors in the food midway.
New for 2018
Drizzled Muffins: A Latte Love Coffee House is serving up warm muffins with chocolate, caramel or white chocolate drizzled on top. Beef Poke Bowl: Coco Flow has created a savory bowl of marinated beef, rice, pickled cucumbers, fried onions, greens and avocado for you to enjoy in a soy vinaigrette. Cotton Candy Pie: When you think Fair food, you probably think cotton candy. Cutie Pies Concessions is putting a twist on this timeless Fair food by transforming it to pie form! Root Beer Float Pie: Cutie Pies is also giving us another twist on a classic dessert with a delectable Root Beer Float Pie. Cherry Limeade Pie: Cherry Limeades are a fan favorite in Oklahoma! What better way to enjoy it than in pie form? Be sure to stop by the Cutie Pies food truck to get your hands on a piece of this pie! Deep-Fried Hot Pepper Rings: Pickle Pete’s is offering these deep-fried hot pepper rings for Fairgoers who enjoy the spicier things in life! Deep-Fried Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip: Diventuri knows that everything is better deep-fried! This Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip is folded into a crispy shell, deep fried and served with ranch. Mac-N-Cheese Topped with Ground Beef and Fries: That’s right…as if their Mac-N-Cheese wasn’t great already, MacTastic is returning this year to introduce this beefy, cheesy pasta and potato combo. Frozen Sweet Tea: MacTastic has also created the perfect drink to cool you down. This Frozen Sweet Tea is the perfect balance of cold and sweet and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Cheese Curd Taco: O’Neil is putting a twist on the taco! Enjoy melt-in-your-mouth cheese curds atop this beef taco piled high with all your favorite taco ixins’.
Cookie Fries: Enjoy dipping these delicious shortbread cookies with sugar and berry sauce, from
Coco Flow.
Fried dough, meats on sticks, pretzels, cotton candy, cheesesteaks, and other aromas waft through the air at the fair. However, fairs have not always been so great for people watching their calories. And while fairs might not be diet-friendly, it’s not impossible to adhere to one’s diet while visiting the fair.
Here are a few tips to help
fight the temptation.
Fill up at home
Prior to heading out to the fair, be sure to eat a filling, healthy breakfast. This will provide ample nutrients and decrease the likelihood that you will overindulge in less healthy fare while there.
Foods that are comprised of protein and fiber can help you to feel fuller longer. Pack a snack that can provide a boost of energy prior to indulging in any fair foods. Trail mix or a low-calorie protein bar may be enough to tide you over until you leave the fair.
Stay hydrated
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that mild dehydration produces similar symptoms to hunger. If you feel hungry after eating, your body may only need fluids and not food. Therefore, reach for water or a hydrating sports drink (particularly when it is hot outside) as a first step to abating hunger symptoms, especially if you’ve recently eaten.
Choose healthy food vendors
Look for vendors that offer things like yogurt cups, roasted vegetables, lean meats, and fresh fruits. Kabobs that include lean meats that are low in calories can make a great carnival meal. Corn on the cob without gobs of butter also can be a filling snack. Smart dessert options include fruit smoothies, water ice, frozen yogurt, and even a candied apple, which may be rich in fiber. A small dose of cotton candy, which is just 100 calories per ounce, can offer a sweet fix while you avoid deep-fried concoctions. Keep in mind that cheese curds can set you back 650 calories and a funnel cake 720 calories, according to the YMCA. It can take several miles of traversing the fair to burn all those calories.
Watch portion sizes
If you splurge on a treat or two, consider sharing it with a friend or family member to cut the portion size. A single bite of a calorie-rich food can be enough to satisfy a craving.
Giant turkey legs may be prime for the picking. Those legs, which may contain as many as 1,140 calories, are well beyond the typical poultry portion size of four ounces. Such food is best shared with others.
Pay attention to beverages
Before you fill up on lemonade or visit the beer tent, remember some beverages contain lots of calories. Weigh your options carefully. If you want a cold beer, you may need to skip that chocolate-covered banana.
Fair foods are delicious but often high in calories. Smart choices can ensure dining at a fair does not derail your diet.
Don’t let the struggle of
should I or shouldn’t I deter you from have a good time. From it’s the humble beginnings in 1907, the Oklahoma State Fair has grown to become one of the premier State Fairs in the nation.