It was a hot sunny day and my first time at the Indiana State Fair since I was 16 years old. Back then, I worked at the Fair as a vendor helping to sell ice cream cookie sandwiches. How wonderfully ironic to return years later to find healthy foods at the Fair?
With my girlfriend by my side, we hunted down the healthy food choices as if we were on a safari looking for an endangered species. As a reborn again Fair attendee, I was hopeful whereas my partner was not. She attends the Fair every year and was sure there were no health choices. What a challenge!
We took pictures of all the food choices. Turkey burgers and legs, slushes and slurpies, and Fried anything – vegetables, butter, Twinkies, Doughnut burgers, and Pepsi were all readily available.
We found some roasted corn. Smelled GREAT and you had the opinion of not putting on the butter. A couple of the pizza places had salad as choices as well. There were great pulled pork choices, beef cuts, and turkey burgers that smelled great.
Let’s be creative, I thought. How about if you split a meal with someone? Cut down on your calories a
nd fat intake and you’re still able to enjoy the day!
I finally settled on the chicken gyro. I was able to order a smaller version of the pita sandwich and it was full of vegetables with just a little cucumber dressing. I didn’t feel weighed down or heavy after the meal. It seemed that if you could watch your portions, you would do better to control the unhealthy intake of some of the higher caloric foods.
We also drank plenty of water.
We located an Al
mond stand so you know….we took a picture. Almonds are great for snacks and curving your appetite.
All in all, the Indiana State Fair was GREAT! We saw some little girls dancing for their health at the Clarian exhibit. We saw Zumba going down at the INShape Indiana exhibit. On Saturday, I participated in the Center of Wellness for Urban Women’s walk on the Canal and then I walked for hours at the Fair. I truly got in my exercise and was able to find great food at the Fair that I didn’t feel guilty about eating.
P.S. We did watch someone eat the doughnut hamburger….YIKES!!
Rhonda Bayless received complementary goods or services from the organization(s) that was the subject of this blog post in exchange for writing this post.
Tags: eating healthy, Indiana State Fair, INShape
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I’m going back to the Fair — maybe twice! — and I’m going to be on the lookout for some of those healthier options. I didn’t eat badly while I was there. But I would like to try some of the Fresh Market stuff and maybe one of those chicken gyros.
Amy, there are some great choices. You really just have to look. I enjoyed the chicken gyro and didn’t feel heavy afterward!