Some of summer's hottest destinations -- amusement parks, carnivals, and fairs -- serve up food that's as scary as their wild roller coasters. Recently, Disney and Universal Studios parks launched campaigns to cut trans fats from concession foods and provide better-for-you alternatives for their customers. That said, there's still a lot of stuff you need to look out for. Here's the 411, from your pal Hungry Girl...
Tempting Troublemakers
Funnel Cakes Everyone loves the taste of deep-fried dough, but the average funnel cake has roughly 760 calories and 44g fat! AHHHHHHHHH! You're WAY better off eating a deep-fried Snickers bar, and that's saying something (though we certainly don't recommend THAT either).
Corn Dogs Oh, the convenience (and sheer excitement) of food on a stick! But what's the cost of just one cornmeal-coated pup? Roughly 375 calories and 21g fat! If it's food on a stick we're seeking, we'll stick with Tootsie Pops (only 60 calories each!).
Frozen Lemonade Seems so innocent and refreshing, but the stats on this sugary stuff might make you cry. A 16-oz. serving contains 280 calories and 63g of sugar. We say you wait 'til you get home and then whip up one of our 30-calorie swaps!
French Fries You know you're going to burn some calories walking around, but unless you're taking fast-paced laps around the park, 500 calories and 25g fat aren't worth it for a measly 6 ounces of fries.
Peanut-Coated Caramel Apple It may seem like a good idea at the core (get it?!), but this is one rotten apple! Chomp on one of these things and you're looking at around 400 calories and 10g fat. That's just nuts.
Try These Instead
Dippin' Dots This ice cream stand gives us a bunch of low-cal options. Not only is the classic Rainbow Ice beautiful, but a half-cup serving has no fat and only 90 calories! Looking for a chocolate fix? Try the No Sugar Added Fat Free Fudge flavor for just 92 calories per small serving. Yay!
Cotton Candy No, it's not exactly good for you, but in this fat-filled wasteland, we'll take what we can get. A standard 2-oz. portion of the pink fluffy stuff gives you 225 empty calories that you'll probably burn off strolling from coaster to coaster.
The Streamliner Stop the presses! Repeat-offender and Six Flags staple Johnny Rockets has done something (marginally) right! Since you can't bring lunch into the park, one of your best bets may be the Streamliner, JR's veggie burger. It contains 422 calories, 11g fat, and 8g fiber. Not GREAT, but it beats the pants off a fried chicken basket.
More Tips & Tricks for Those Daylong Trips
-Bring your own food. Each theme park has its own outside-food rules. Of the major parks, Disney is the most laid back and will allow outside snacks and drinks as long as you're not dragging in a HUGE cooler. Universal lets you bring water, fruit, and baby food. Six Flags, however, says you can't bring your own snacks -- so smuggle 'em in at your own risk.
-Eat a hearty breakfast before heading out.
-Show up early, stay a good long time, but leave before dinner if possible.
-Go for the big thrills -- a rush of adrenaline will get your heart rate up!
-WALK instead of taking the tram.
-DON'T starve yourself in the name of nutrition. If you really need a snack, EAT SOMETHING. Otherwise you won't have any fun, and remember, that's why you're there!
Hungry for More?
Check out Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World. The book's a New York Times Best Seller, and it's packed with 165 super-easy and delicious recipes, survival guides for eating out, and so much more!
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