Dear Chef Kathleen,

I'm planning on attending a state fair on a trip out of town next week. To me, all the fun is the food. This is something I really look forward to. What do you look forward to at the fair? How can I enjoy the event without feeling guilty? Do you really stick to your diet on fair day?

Keiley


Dear Keiley,

Heck no! As anyone who has ever attended even the smallest local fair or festival knows, half the reason for going is the offerings in the food tents. These leave-your-diet-at-the-door events are the closest thing to meatloaf and mashed potato comfort food summer has to offer.

Heavens, don't give a moment's thought to how healthy the stuff is or you won't enjoy a single bite. Think of a day at a summer festival as a meaningless fling you can repent with tomorrow's cardio blast class and boiled white fish, steamed zucchini supper.

At nearly every fair, no matter the venue, there are a few delicacies you can count on seeing—funnel cakes, sausage sandwiches, those lovely toasted almonds and pecans, kettle corn and, of course, ice cream.

The best way to fully appreciate festival food is to go with the flow. Sure, everything will cost twice what you'd normally pay, but that's not the point. Don't let cost and nutrition get in the way of a day of food and fun. Consider this a one-day vacation and sample foods that strike your fancy.

Many doctors these days are recommending eating small meals every two to three hours throughout the day. At a fair this is not a problem. OK, so the doctor probably didn't have in mind cotton candy and grilled sausage, peppers and onion hoagies, but don't be surprised if you see the same doctor waiting in line for funnel cakes.

Everyone needs to splurge sometimes.

Skinny on a stick
One of the joys of a big fair is trying to see how many things are available to eat on a stick. Besides the usual ice cream and corn dogs, you can get meat on a stick, fried shrimp on a stick, chocolate-covered roasted marshmallows on a stick, chocolate-covered pie on a stick and fried candy bars on a stick! It's not impossible to eat relatively healthy at the fair. You can also get fruit on a stick, corn on the cob on a stick and grilled veggies on a stick.

OK, so you can't splurge on creamy, cool, soft-serve ice cream all day, but just as refreshing are the icy cold glasses of uber fresh milk served up in the dairy barn on dairy day. Free glasses of chocolate milk aren't unheard of, and I've even seen strawberry milk. The bigger the fair, the wider the variety of food offerings.

You can also take advantage of all the food freebies that are offered. So far this year, I've been offered free samples of kettle corn, ice cream, toasted almonds and pecans, hand-cut fries, fresh potato chips, sodas and flavored waters. Tastes aren't calorie-free, but they're certainly a lot lower than full-size portions.

7 ways to enjoy the food

1. Try to hit the fair on a day the food theme is on your side, i.e. Arts and Apples or Strawberry day.
   
   
2. If you plan to be at the fair over the course of two meals, pack a super healthy picnic so all you have to navigate is one meal.
   
   
3. Don't go to the event hungry. Studies show when you "starve" yourself throughout the day, you're more apt to overeat later.
   
   
4. Survey all of the culinary offerings and decide where you want to spend your treat calories. Collect a reward for staying on plan.
   
   
5. Your food choices influence those you love. Have three healthy bites for every high-calorie bite. Three-quarters of what you eat should make the nutrition police want to pin a blue ribbon on your plate.
   
   
6. Don't waste calories. Skip sugary drinks and sodas, and don't eat just to eat. Be choosy. You're going to have to work off calorie overages or wear them around town until you're ready to do something about them.
   
   
7. Cardio, cardio, cardio—build in an extra workout fair week. On fair day, park far away.
   Have fun and enjoy the fair, Keiley!

kd@chefkathleen.com