Bill of Fare at the Fair: Top 10 Carnival Foods

Summer is prime time for state and county fairs, which usually means that all sense and sensibility disappear as soon as you walk through the gates.  In addition to the tantalizing aroma of the fried dough, you have competing food vendors hawking everything from crispy corn dogs to chocolate-dipped frozen bananas.

Although one day of gorging on fair food won’t break your healthy eating routine, it’s probably a wise idea to peruse the landscape before you start plunking down money for an array of high-calorie and fat-laden treats.  Remember that most fair and carnival foods are packed with fat, calories, sugar and salt ” and very little nutritional value.  Portions are usually huge, deep-fried and contain garnishes, such as gooey cheese, whipped cream and syrup.  It’s way too easy to pig out!

Here are some of the traditional fair food favorites that have withstood the test of time, along with their approximate calories and some with recipes, just in case you can’t make it out to the fair.

Cotton Candy “225 calories

Corn Dogs ” 300 calories (Corn Dog Recipe)

Funnel Cakes ” 800 calories (Funnel-Cake-Recipe)

Nachos and Cheese ” 650 calories (Nacho Recipes)

Candied or Caramel Apples ” 400 calories (Caramel Apple Recipes)

Belgian Waffles ” 650 calories (Belgian Waffle Recipe)

Soft Serve Ice Cream ” 200 calories

Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas ” 250 calories (Banana Recipes)

French Fries with Cheese or Gravy ” 700 calories (Poutine Recipe)

Frozen Lemonade ” 760 calories (Lemonade Recipes)

Some choices are better than others, but if you must indulge, do so with your eyes open.  So get your hands on some coupons and Bon appetit!