Fair food facts from the HCHC diabetes education department

For people with diabetes, a day at the fair can be fun, yet challenging. It can be difficult to stick to your meal plan with so many tempting foods available.

Below is a list of common ?fair foods? that will help you count carbs and make better food choices the next time you?re at the fair. Some other tips you can consider to lessen the effect of the food on your blood sugar are to share a food with a friend, eat some now and save some for later, and avoid the sugary drinks like soda and lemonade. Remember, walking is a great way to help lower your blood sugar and will help you handle the extra carbs. Watch out for high fat, fried foods which can make your blood sugar stay elevated for a longer period of time. Most importantly remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and have fun!

Blooming onion with dip: Serving: 1; Calories: 278; Carbohydrates: 186; Carb servings: 12; Fat: 84.

Bratwurst on bun: Serving: 1; Calories: 420; Carbohydrates: 25; Carb servings: 2; Fat: 27.

Caramel apple: Serving: 1 medium; Calories: 243; Carbohydrates: 54; Carb servings: 4; Fat: 17.

Chili dog on bun: Serving: 1; Calories: 290; Carbohydrates: 28; Carb servings: 2; Fat: 15.

Cinnamon roll: Serving: 1 large; Calories: 309; Carbohydrates: 42; Carb servings: 3; Fat: 14.

Corn dog: Serving: 1; Calories: 210; Carbohydrates: 25; Carb servings: 2; Fat: 10.

Cotton candy: Serving: 1; Calories: 220; Carbohydrates: 56; Carb servings: 4; Fat: 0.

Corn on the cob: Serving: 1 cob; Calories: 148; Carbohydrates: 33; Carb servings: 2; Fat: 2.

Egg roll: Serving: 1; Calories: 210; Carbohydrates: 20; Carb servings: 1; Fat: 11.

Fried cheese curds: Serving: 5 ounces.; Calories: 533; Carbohydrates: 34; Carb servings: 2; Fat: 34

Foot long hot dog: Serving: 1; Calories: 560; Carbohydrates: 39; Carb servings: 3; Fat: 35.

Fried chicken breast with skin: Serving: 1 piece; Calories: 320; Carbohydrates: 4; Carb servings: 0; Fat: 15.

Frozen yogurt: Serving: 1/2 cup; Calories: 114; Carbohydrates: 17; Carb servings: 1; Fat: 4.

Fudge: Serving: 1 ounce; Calories: 116; Carbohydrates: 21; Carb servings: 2; Fat: 3.

Funnel cake: Serving: 1; Calories: 356; Carbohydrates: 49; Carb servings: 3; Fat: 16.

Gyro with meat: Serving: 1; Calories: 510; Carbohydrates: 42; Carb servings: 3; Fat: 29.

Kettle corn: Servings: 6 cups; Calories: 210; Carbohydrates: 24; Carb servings: 2; Fat: 12.

Mini donuts: Servings: 5; Calories: 270; Carbohydrates: 38; Carb servings: 3; Fat: 10.

Pizza small thin crust: Serving: 1 slice; Calories: 192; Carbohydrates: 17; Carb servings: 1; Fat: 10.

Soft pretzel with cheese: Serving: 1 large; Calories: 562; Carbohydrates: 104; Carb servings: 7; Fat: 4.

Shake vanilla: Serving: 12 ounces; Calories: 369; Carbohydrates: 49; Carb servings: 3; Fat: 16.

Snow cone with syrup: Serving: 1; Calories: 270; Carbohydrates: 68; Carb servings: 5; Fat: 0.

Sub sandwich with meatballs: Serving: 6 inch; Calories: 580; Carbohydrates: 70; Carb servings: 5; Fat: 23.

Sub sandwich with cold cuts: Serving: 6 inch; Calories: 456; Carbohydrates: 51; Carb servings: 4; Fat: 19.

Turkey drumstick with skin: Serving: 1; Calories: 363; Carbohydrates: 0; Carb servings: 0; Fat: 19.

Laura and Amy?s Recipe Corner: Citrus Freeze Bars - Serves 15

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil spray

25 reduced-fat vanilla wafers

14-ounce can fat-free sweetened condensed milk

Egg substitute equivalent to 1 egg (do not use unpasteurized egg)

1 to 2 teaspoons grated lime or lemon zest

2/3 cup fresh lime or lemon juice

8 ounces frozen fat-free or light whipped topping, thawed

5 reduced-fat vanilla wafers

Cooking instructions:

Lightly spray a 9-inch square baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Arrange the 25 cookies in a single layer in the pan. (There will be spaces between the cookies.)

Pour the milk and egg substitute into a medium bowl. Add the lime zest and lime juice. Stir for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the mixture begins to thicken. Fold in the whipped topping. Pour over the cookies in the baking pan.

Crumble the remaining 5 cookies over the filling. Cover with plastic wrap and put in the freezer for about 4 hours, or until frozen.

To serve, let thaw for 4 to 5 minutes, or just until the bars are cuttable. Cut into 15 bars.

Nutritional information: Calories: 135; Fat 0.5g; Cholesterol 1mg; Carbohydrates: 28g; Protein 3g