You Can Walk it Off - uh, no

"You can eat anything you want at the Iowa State Fair, because you walk it off."

I can't really spell the kind of laughing this incites from me. That is one of the most hilarious statements ever! No you CAN'T!

For example - One corn dog (by far the most popular fair food)
460 calories, 20 grams of fat

Now, the walking. Everyone always thinks they walk much further at the fair than than they really do. None-the-less, I will be generous here:

Walk 6 miles at 2.5 miles an hour = 491 calories burned

The problem is, even if you really walk that far, you aren't maintaining that pace really. You are stopping and starting. Plus, most people walk about 2 miles an hour when they don't have anywhere specific to be.

Anyway, as you can see, you could burn off a corn dog. (We'll ignore the artery causing fat, far too much of it saturated.) Did you slug the dog down with a soda? How about a beer? Split a funnel cake? Grab the mini-cookies? The list goes on and on.

What I am getting at is, don't delude yourself whether it's the fair or another 'off' occasion. You are going to have fun, not count calories. Because if you went to do the latter, you would be shocked into possibly never going to a big, fun event again.

The key with the Iowa State Fair is the same as with your overall eating habits - everything in moderation. If you can remember that, you will win by not waking the next day with a food hangover.

FYI - If you are looking to take the fair on in a slightly healthier manner, the Iowa Heart Center has an article on food alternatives that are a bit healthier - HERE.

Above all - have fun and remember, it's only once a year. (Thank god, because that fried Twinkie gets me every flippin' time!)



Yours in health, Kate