Audio Dietitian Marna Canterbury tours the fair's food booths (Morning Edition, 8/27/04) Your Voice Join the conversation with other MPR listeners in the News Forum.

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State Fair food: Lists of the healthy and unhealthy
August 27, 2004

St. Paul, Minn. —

Top 10 "Think Before You Eat" Foods

Although one day of fair food won't make or break your entire eating plan, some foods may not be worth it when you think twice before you eat them. Packed with fat, calories, sugar and salt these foods won't add to your overall nutrition. Foods on this list are often:

-BIG (really big) portions that are easy to overeat
-Fried or double-fried, and high in trans- and saturated fats
-Smothered in cheese, bacon, cream or other foods high in saturated fat
-Mostly sugar
-Packed with calories
-Void of health promoting substances such as vitamins, minerals, fiber or phyto-chemicals

If you have a favorite on this list, don't despair, just enjoy it, maybe share it with a friend and seek out some healthier foods later.

1. Fried Snickers Bar and other candy bars

2. Batter-fried Twinkies

3. Australian batter-fried potatoes with cheese and ranch sauce

4. Foot-long corn dog

5. Bloomin' Onion

6. Big funnel cake with chocolate and whipped cream

7. Batter-fried corn on the cob

8. French fries - all sizes

9. 33-ounce and larger sodas

10. Bucket of Sweet Martha's cookies

Top 10 "Guilt-Free" Foods

It's not that difficult to find healthier choices on the menu at the state fair. Guilt-free foods often are full of fruits, vegetables and grains. Foods on this list often include:

-Fruits, vegetables, or grains as the main ingredients(packed with vitamins, minerals and phyto-chemicals)
-Contain real fruit or fruit juice (instead of fruit flavoring or sugar)
-Lean meats, fish or game as main ingredients (lower in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol than fatty meats)
-Are grilled, boiled or served fresh (lower in fat, trans fat and calories)
-Contain fats such as olive oil or nuts (instead of saturated and trans fats)
-Are flavorful and interesting

1. Mario's Pitas with fresh veggies

2. Billy's Potatoes with veggies

3. Taos Express grilled chicken and wild rice burrito with mango sauce

4. Le Crepe with fresh fruits or veggies

5. Caribbean Smoothie with fresh fruit and non-fat yogurt

6. Jamaican veggie patty

7. Falafel

8. Buffalo burgers

9. Grilled corn on the cob

10. Chocolate-dipped banana or caramel apple

(Source: HealthPartners, registered dietitian Marna Canterbury)

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