By Jenni Wolf

Happy Great-Minnesota-Get-­Together month!

As a native Wisconsinite, I admit I was skeptical of all the state fair hype (gasp!).

But ask me now with a few fair-going years under my belt and I am sold.

Like most Minnesotans I know, the fair eats and treats are what gets me most excited. While I imagine many of you have read up on the new must-try foods for this year, I’m here to offer you some tips on eating your way through the fair without feeling stuffed and uncomfortable.

As a dietitian, I hear a lot of comments about fair food this time of year. Typically, they fall on one side of the spectrum—either in regard to avoiding fair food all together or going all-out, similarly to a “cheat day”.

My response is always, “What about neither?” and that usually garners some confusion.

But what about living in the “middle,” having a more neutral mindset, rather than the black-and-white, all-or-nothing type of thinking?

When we live in the “middle,” we are naturally less likely to get too much of or too little of something. At the fair, we are less likely to get so many pronto pups and fried pickles that might leave us feeling uncomfortable, but also less likely to get so few of Sweet Martha’s cookies or deep fried Oreos that we are left wanting more, feeling restricted and deprived. After all, we do go to the fair to eat tasty food!

In my experience, this “living in the middle” idea can be a new concept for many people, especially when it comes to diet, food and nutrition. Read on for a few tips to strike a balance that allows you to have fun, enjoy every bite and leave the fair feeling satisfied and happy.

•  Don’t arrive starving. A common mistake for many people is limiting intake to “save up” in order to eat more later in the day. I think this always backfires. This leaves you too hungry to listen to your body’s cues and make rational decisions when it comes to food, which can quickly lead to overeating.

If you arrive at the fair feeling hungry for a meal and order mini donuts, there is a good chance you may eat a meal’s worth of mini donuts even if you don’t really want to.

So, eating some healthy food or a small meal a couple hours before you arrive at the fair will allow you to have some appetite but not so much that you are ravenous. You will be more inclined to enjoy a few donuts rather than eating a whole bag.

•  Split and share. Going with a group is advantageous as it allows you to try many different items without feeling like you have to commit to a full portion.

If you’re flying solo, look for half-portions and don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t see them on the menu. Many vendors may be able to accommodate smaller portions or kid’s sizes.

If it is difficult for you to throw away food because you don’t like to waste it, I offer you this thought: If you are full and becoming uncomfortable, isn’t choosing to eat more food and pushing yourself further into discomfort also a waste?

•  Identify must-tries before you go. Make a list of the items you want to get before going.

This helps cut down on impulse-orders and filling up on something nearby when it may not be what you want.

This can also help to identify priorities—you might decide to pass on a funnel cake because you can find these at many festivals throughout the year, leaving more room for the fried pickle pizza which is a once-a-year find.

My every-year picks are a turkey leg, sweet corn, a Dairy Building twist ice cream cone and at least one new item.

Here’s to a safe, fun and tasty 12 days! 

Jenni Wolf, a registered dietitian, writes about food and nutrition for the Bugle.

Caption: Sweet corn and a good ol’ turkey leg are on Jenni Wolf’s food favorites at the Minnesota State Fair. Submitted photo by Jenni Wolf.