Beyond barbeques and beach parties, summer is also prime time for fairs and festivals.  Whether you go for the thrill rides, arts and crafts, balloon animals or face paint, festivals offer a happy and affordable weekend activity for the whole family.  As far as food fare goes, if you’re looking for a deep fried candy bar or corn dog, look no further.  Festival food is notorious for pushing our sugar-laden limits, and each year brings new additions to this nutritional house of horrors.  But with a little bit of planning and thoughtful snacking, you can have your deep-fried cake and eat it too. Well, maybe not the “deep-fried,” but you get the point…

Before you go: like every other day, set yourself up for success and ”safeguard your day” by eating a healthy breakfast.  Showing up with something in your stomach will make it easier to turn down super-sweet treats (or at least eat less of them).  Ideally, you want to eat something with fiber and protein – like an egg and a slice of whole grain toast, or a bowl of oatmeal with a few chopped nuts. This will provide sustained energy for only about 200 calories.

Once you get to the festival, be prepared. With all the walking around and adrenaline from the rides, you are sure to work up an appetite.  Keep your eyes peeled for some reasonable lunch options like grilled chicken kebobs or roasted corn.  Think ahead and throw a couple of your favorite The Laughing Cow wedges or Mini Babybels in your bag.  If you go for a burger or hot dog, you can skip all the calorie-laden sweet and savory condiments by using a The Laughing Cow wedge as a spread.  If you manage to come across a salad, add some protein by coupling it with a Mini Babybel or shredding one on top.

If you’re in the mood, there are some lighter options for sweet indulgences.  Seek out a frozen banana stand and see if you can get it dipped half way with chocolate to save some calories, and with nuts for a little extra protein.  Pick up a kid-sized ice cream cone for around 300 calories, or get a ½-size ice cream with a fresh fruit topping.  And for treats you love and you know you can’t get anywhere else, buy one and split it with the whole family.

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