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The Fat Content in Funnel Cake and Other Fair Scares

Posted Thu, Sep 03, 2009, 10:56 am PDT
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Going to the local fair or carnival or amusement park is a blast... until you learn about the freakish amounts of fat and calories packed into the snack foods being peddled there. Check out Hungry Girl's carnival cheat sheet, and then head into your day of revelry armed with INFO, not just tickets to ride.

The Usual Suspects...

Foot-Long Hot Dog and Bun = 550 calories and 35g fat!

As tempting as this treat looks, those dogs are BAD dogs! And think about all those crazy toppings people load onto them: the chili... the cheese... the cholesterol... AHHHH!


Churro = 330 calories and 15g fat!

Churros are delicious for the very reason they are bad for you: They're deep-fried tubes of dough rolled in sugar. And while they're not great for you by any means, they aren't QUITE as destructive as some other options, like...


Funnel Cake = 700 calories and 30g fat!

This is a calorie disaster on a paper plate. And have you ever noticed how transparent that plate looks after you've finished eating a funnel cake? Yeah, creepy. Don't be seduced by the smell! And if you really can't resist, find a group of people to share it with.


Soft Pretzel = 450 calories and 4g fat!

When it comes to fat, those big soft pretzels aren't terrible. However, each of those doughy things is packed with hundreds of carby calories. If you're really hungry and didn't pack any emergency snacks (we understand -- no one wants to bring a huge bag to the fair), you could do worse than this. Just don't dunk it in nacho cheese!


Jumbo Bag of Popcorn (with No Extra Butter) = 575 calories and 35g fat!

This bag is CLEARLY meant to share, but in case you're a greedy popcorn hoarder (they're out there!), know that your selfish ways have a high cost. That popcorn has got a LOT of fat from the oil it's popped in. So even if you think you're okay just because there's no extra butter, you're wrong. DO NOT EAT THE WHOLE BAG!


Deep-Fried King Size Snickers = 700 calories and 45g fat!

AAACK! We don't know what the obsession is with battering and deep-frying everything under the sun, but it's dangerous. Just FYI, if you decide you simply MUST try this treat just for the novelty of it, grab some friends, have a bite, and pass it along. There's TOO much fat involved for a treat of this size.


If You Must Munch...

Cotton Candy = 220 calories and 0g fat

Yeah, it's all sugar, but it's better than a deep-fried Big Mac on a stick or whatever crazy items they've battered up.

 

Pickle on a Stick = 25 calories and 0g fat

Speaking of things on a stick... Sure, this is unconventional, but pickles rule! They're large and salty and satisfying. Plus, it's unlikely you'll be tempted by sweets once you've got the taste of pickles in your mouth.

 

Snow Cone = 270 calories and 0g fat

We suggest asking for half the syrup. These things always come with too much anyway, and we don't need the extra calories just to cool down.

For more freakish eats, check out 10 of the weirdest ice creams.


HUNGRY FOR MORE?


Hungry Girl 200 Under 200: 200 Recipes Under 200 Calories is packed with TWO HUNDRED easy and delicious recipes, each with less than 200 calories a serving! Check it out RIGHT NOW!!

For a daily dose of guilt-free tips, tricks, food finds, recipes and more, visit hungry-girl.com and sign up for free daily emails!

Average (89 Ratings): 3 out of 5 stars

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  • 1. Posted by jettpuffnstuff on Thu, Sep 03, 2009, 3:23 pm PDT

    I'm usually alone when I get a funnel cake but I only eat a few bites and that more then satisfies my craving for them! Everything in moderation is the key!

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  • 2. Posted by gen.prushinski on Thu, Sep 03, 2009, 3:43 pm PDT

    I didn't even go to the fair this year so I could avoid the temptations!

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  • 3. Posted by Cucuy on Mon, Sep 07, 2009, 5:50 am PDT

    I worked as a server in one of the restaurants at the Fair this year. Needless to say, the temptation was awful. I packed my own snacks and lunches (high fiber and protein) and only splurged once and had some Bloomin' Onion with a friend. Go prepared!! It helps a lot.

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  • 4. Posted by midbldcon06@sbcglobal.net on Mon, Sep 07, 2009, 2:06 pm PDT

    My first job ever was working the A&W Rootbeer stand at the Ohio State Fair for two weeks. Thank god I was fourteen then because I ate a minimum of; 3 footlong coneys, 2 cotton candies, and 2 snow cones a day plus I would trade a coney to the other vendors for cheese on a stick or a funnel cake. If I did that now I would drop dead. Still you can't beat fair food. My family and I do one local event a year and I work out for a week in preparation.

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  • 5. Posted by tiedyegirl@ymail.com on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:03 am PDT

    When I go to the fair I split a funnel cake with my mom and aunt.. It's not to terribly bad. Besides you only get this stuff once a year.

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  • 6. Posted by preciosa41987 on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:07 am PDT

    i live in dallas,tx and the texas state fair is like a holiday around here, and i dont think i will be able to resist turkey, corn dogs, hot dogs, etc..thats why i have a gym membership!..

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  • 7. Posted by dbmachi2000 on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:07 am PDT

    I hate these sort of articles... that's why it's fair food, you *usually* only eat it when you go to a fair, which is only a few times a year.... not that big of a deal!!!!!!!!

    Report Abuse

  • 8. Posted by Josue~ R on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:09 am PDT

    What about deep fried Texas butter?

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  • 9. Posted by Chris on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:11 am PDT

    Yeah, this is brilliant and much-needed news. Carnival and fair food is bad for you. Maybe "The Hungry Girl" should stuff some food in her mouth and shut it. I for one am sick and tired of "food experts" writing articles like this. Bad food is bad for you. Everyone already knows that. Stop talking about it. Bad food you think isn't bad for you is one thing, but the incessant need to bash food everyone already knows is unhealthy makes you look like you need to prove your credentials by stating the obvious. Frankly, it makes you look unqualified for your job. If you don't want it, I'll take it. I'm sure I could come up with better information than you seem capable of, judging by your recent articles.

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  • 10. Posted by Cecelia on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:16 am PDT

    Actually, eating the hot dog or the treats with some fat is better for you carb watchers than the cotton candy or the snow cone which are just pure sugar.

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  • 11. Posted by candyhead42 on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:30 am PDT

    Aww... I luffs corndogs... :( Ewww... picklez?!

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  • 12. Posted by ronaldbird30 on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:30 am PDT

    What a killjoy! Keep her away from the state fairs. She obviously doesn't know that one of the reasons people go to fairs is to eat the stuff that she is trashing.

    Report Abuse

  • 13. Posted by candyhead42 on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:33 am PDT

    Aww... I luffs corndogs... :( Ewww... picklez?!

    Report Abuse

  • 14. Posted by fionvar on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:33 am PDT

    i dont have to worry about eating the fried dough ... i refuse to pay $7 for a 20 cent piece of dough

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  • 15. Posted by rezagamoshi on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:41 am PDT

    http://rezagamoshi.blogfa.com/

    Report Abuse

  • 16. Posted by Miss Monica on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:43 am PDT

    This is a great article! The fair starts next week and I need to know what Im up against.

    Report Abuse

  • 17. Posted by goldkat2309 on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:44 am PDT

    Deep fried Snickers?! Shave a few days off my lifespan -.-

    Report Abuse

  • 18. Posted by hunterzmommie on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:47 am PDT

    And HOW often do we go to fairs??? Its like dieting at Thanksgiving and Christmas, the food is half the fun of it! Eat up and have a blast...seriously, unless you have a steady diet of this stuff, its not going to kill you. Not sure i would even bother going to the fair if this food was not there for me to indulge in! Bring on the elephant ears and turkey legs!

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  • 19. Posted by Lili on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:49 am PDT

    Thank god you saved me Hungry Girl! I might have Accidentally mistaken a funnel cake for my diet shake. Ode to the fair… Oh wonderful fair you come to town for one beautiful week each year. I look forward to your fried and tasty treats. With your funnel cakes, turkey legs, and fried cheesecakes you tempt me. Oh glorious fair I never expect you to be healthy only fun and food filled. They when you leave I am sad, but I know you will return to me each fall and fill my belly with your tasty treats.

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  • 20. Posted by mrb511 on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:49 am PDT

    they keep tellling us things most people that have any common sense would know. I mean really,a HEALTHY deep friend snickers........no. Or a foot long hot dog without more than 500 calories.........no.

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  • 21. Posted by Mandy B on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:51 am PDT

    i'll just eat a Pickle on a Stick that's only 25 calories haha

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  • 22. Posted by parachute8888 on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:52 am PDT

    They forgot about the deep-fried veggies smothered with cheese

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  • 23. Posted by charlie t on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:55 am PDT

    That snow cone looks soooooo good!

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  • 24. Posted by casey T on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 10:58 am PDT

    If people don't already know that Fair food isn't healthy they should be beaten with that Hungry Girl book. And, if were talking about the kids then it's the parents job to teach them but for the love of childhood let them have the funnel cake!. P.S. Of course she's called "Hungry Girl": If I ate only what she said was "good" for you I would be HUNGRY too!

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  • 25. Posted by Aaron on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:10 am PDT

    non of those are that bad. it would be worse to eat a value meal ad mcdonalds. enjoy all fair foods and splurge. that is the reason to go to the fair. enjoy life. no healthy food is worth a trade for your happiness.

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  • 26. Posted by Shadowhawk on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:14 am PDT

    Is Obama protecting us from ourselves by having these crapola articles run ad-nauseum? Christ, I'm tired of this S***...every where you look some self proclaimed "expert" is telling you how to run your life. Why the hell do you want to live long enough to be a burden on the future Workers Paradise...the Government will be pissed at you for soaking up medical care that someone younger can use!

    Report Abuse

  • 27. Posted by areae a on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:15 am PDT

    The problem with these types of articles is that it treats food as somehow an evil entity that if you eat it once you are somehow going to balloon. Fairs tend to happen once a year. Someone will likely eat a funnel cake or other traditional fair food maybe once a year. Understand the need to focus folks on healthier food, but this seems a bit ridiculous to target once-a-year type foods.

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  • 28. Posted by cadoda44 on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:20 am PDT

    gee, and funnel cake seemed so light and fluffy

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  • 29. Posted by ciresolstice on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:23 am PDT

    please...doesn't mean you eat that kind of stuff all the time...but sheesh live a little.

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  • 30. Posted by L-Roy on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, 11:29 am PDT

    You know people it only comes once a year. its not like you are eating this food all year round. it dosent hurt to spoil your self once a year. your only on this earth one time so make it last spoil your self evey once in a while. just have fun and live life to its fullest!!!!

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