FACTS FOR FAMILIES: How to enjoy fair food without going overboard | Health, Medicine and Fitness
It is the season of fairs and fair food! I wanted to share this article from Extension Educator Jenna Smith about how to still enjoy your favorites within reason.
Jenna says: Many of the fairs and festivals we missed last year are back and ready to entertain. Deep fried candy bars, onion blossoms, and fried cheese curds are a “must-have” for some, but nutritional nightmares for cardiologists. The question is can we enjoy our favorite fair foods while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle?
Absolutely! You don’t have to completely abstain from getting the food you’ve been thinking about all year. Pick a couple of your “must-haves” and one or two of your favorite friends to share it with; most portions are far greater than an actual serving size.
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Also, don’t let yourself come to the fair starving. Since you likely won’t get many fruits and vegetables at the fair, be sure to eat plenty before or after your trip. This will give your body important nutrients that it may have otherwise missed.
Don’t forget to stay hydrated while walking the festival streets. Bring a bottle of water and refill often.
If looking for healthier options at the fair, try a grilled pork loin sandwich rather than a fried pork tenderloin. Roasted corn on the cob can be a good side dish. Just ask them not to dip it in the large pail of butter!
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If you’re headed to the Illinois State Fair, be sure to check out the Farmers Market Tent to feast on watermelon, muskmelon and more. For those who are working or showcasing at the fair for more than one day, consider packing your lunch to have a healthy meal and save on money.
Enjoy your fair food but do so with these healthier tips!
Grilled Corn on the Cob
3 Tablespoons margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons fresh chopped cilantro
Soak corn in husk for at least 15 minutes to provide extra moisture for steaming. Preheat grill to medium heat (350 degrees F.) Pull back husks from ears of corn, leaving the husks attached. Remove silk and rinse the ear with water; set corn aside. In a small bowl, combine margarine, cumin and chili powder. Brush mixture onto ears of corn, saving leftovers. Bring husks up to cover the corn. Place on hot grate and grill for 15 minutes, turning occasionally. Wearing an oven mitt, hold the corn and peel the husks from the top down; remove any excess ash on the corn. Brush with leftover margarine mixture. Sprinkle with cilantro.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 170 calories, 7 grams fat, 85 milligrams sodium, 27 grams carbohydrate, 0 grams fiber, 5 grams protein
Jenna Smith’s “Simply Nutritious, Quick and Delicious” blog, can be found at https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/simply-nutritious-quick-and-delicious
For more information on University of Illinois Unit 19 programming and to read more helpful articles, visit our website at extension.illinois.edu/ccdms, call us at 217-345-7034 or contact Cheri Burcham at [email protected] Also visit the Family Files Blog at extension.illinois.edu/blogs/family-files
Remember these Charleston locations?
Bill’s Bottle Shop
1979: The owner of bill’s Bottle Shop isn’t concerned about House Bill 21. The Liquor Commission has proposed extending bar hours from 1 to 2 a.m. and increasing the number of licenses from 25 to 32.
Filter Plant
1935: The new filtering plant in Charleston has been placed in operation. The plant, which has a daily capacity of two million gallons, consists of three filter beds, mixing and settling beds. A booster pump takes care of pressure in case of fires. The water comes from deep wells. The addition to the Charleston waterworks was financed through funds on hand and by a small bond issue.
Junk yard
1965: An auto graveyard near Charleston is nestled between rolling hills along scenic Illinois 16.
Junk yard
1965: Mayor-elect Wlater Reasor Jr. and Eastern Illinois University president have urged to move the junk yards west of Charleston city limits.
Krackers
1988: Teen night fills the floor at E.L. Krackers.
Rotary community pool
1974: The Charleston Rotary Community Pool is located on approximately five acres of land directly behind the Junior High School.
Waterworks
1948: Charleston’s waterworks is being converted from diesel to electric power this week at a savings in costs of $500 a month, releasing 18,000 gallons of fuel oil a year for other uses. Oil tanks will be kept full to enable emergency use of the diesel engines which will remain in place although disconnected.
Charleston airview
1985: Airview of Charleston.
American Hardware Supply aerial view
1982: Aerial view shows extent of American Hardware Supply Co.’s new 240,000 square foot distribution center north of Charleston.
Cheri Burcham is the Family Life Educator at the U of I Extension.
