Amusement Park Food: What To Skip, What To Pick

Now that the warm weather is here, many of us will be spending time at carnivals, fairs and amusement parks -- spots that can be pretty scary when it comes to picking healthy meals and snacks. If you are wondering what to watch out for (besides the roller coaster with the 100-foot drop), here are a few rules to live by:

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Not So Amusing: Funnel Cake And Fried Desserts

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Snacking on snickers, dough or oreos that have been dipped in batter and deep-fried can contain one day's worth of fat -- and can pack in a whopping 700+ calories each!

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Snacking on snickers, dough or oreos that have been dipped in batter and deep-fried can contain one day's worth of fat -- and can pack in a whopping 700+ calories each!

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Comments

[Bellerophon69]

03:21 PM on 08/05/2011

I love amusement parks AND the junk food they serve; but I don't live at one! If having a good time and NOT being retentive in regards to my diet twice a year is going to make me obese, then just shoot me now! I think on this issue you're being a bit obsessive, which isn't all that healthy for you either! Lighten up!

[FunctionOfTheCrisp]

09:51 AM on 07/05/2011

Amusement park employees face considerable nutrition choices. If they want to eat healthy they'll have to plan creatively because parks are usually located far away from healthy food options. Their best bet would be to pack a lunch.

If we're talking about patrons who go to a park once or twice a year, then those who worry about the quality of the food have SERIOUS issues. Look - have a cold one, a burger and a sno-cone and fuggetaboutit.

[William Anderson LMHC]

08:20 AM on 07/05/2011

Pack your favorite healthier lunch, buy sugar free drinks, and change the way you think of food. It's not an amusement ride, and it's not a form of entertainment. If we form a healthier way to think of food and ourselves, we can reverse this obesity epidemic we have. We can lose weight and our weight problem and enjoy food even more. Here's a link to an article of mine about one of the ways we can change to solve our weight problem: http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-You-Love-to-Eat?-Thats-OK!-Its-a-Key-to-Permanent-Weight-Loss&id=3854460

William Anderson, LMHC
Author of 'The Anderson Method - Secrets of Permanent Weight Loss'
Blog: http://theandersonmethodblog.wordpress.com/

[FunctionOfTheCrisp]

10:00 AM on 07/05/2011

Why am I not surprised that you'd advocate that patrons pack a lunch to the park? Ever been to a park? For one, some parks don't allow exterior food or drink, with the exception of the employees.

One good thing is that some parks allow free and unlimited water refills with the purchase of a sport bottle. My most recent park visit was last August in Charlotte, NC, and that policy there at Carowinds was quite a relief!

[William Anderson LMHC]

03:22 PM on 07/05/2011

I've been to parks, but I've never run into an objection to a sandwich in the backpack. I think I'd claim special dietary needs if I did, not really a stretch of the truth considering what is "normal". The unlimited water is even better than the diet soda option, glad to hear of it!

[jeffrey678]

08:17 AM on 07/05/2011

Turkey legs are not too bad.

[rwilli1972]

09:30 PM on 07/05/2011

I love the turkey leg, but most of all I like the roasted corn. http://www.perspectivestv.com

[LynneE]

07:20 PM on 07/04/2011

That's just cruel to post a picture of funnel cake...yummmmm.

[moonchild62]

04:26 PM on 07/04/2011

Barbequed corn on the cob.

[John Rathe]

02:29 PM on 07/04/2011

What's inane about articles like this is that most people are not going to make a habit out of heating 500 calorie snowcones. So if you're at some amusement park once a year with your family, go for it. The enjoyment of doing something fun and having something tasty with your friends or family far outweigh whatever harm a few extra calories are causing once in a blue moon.

[LynneE]

07:20 PM on 07/04/2011

I agree John. I eat one funnel cake a year, and I just refuse to feel guilty about it!

[tomteboda]

08:11 PM on 07/05/2011

Exactly! And that one funnel cake a year, at the Minnesota State Fair, no less, may be the only food I eat that day, aside from the obligatory stop at the Milk booth.

[thereisonlyoneparty]

10:53 PM on 07/04/2011

And those that are eating these items on the daily without that it might be a problem are probably too far gone to be helped anywise.

People who need an article to tell them that it is probably a good idea to avoid the one pound deep friend dough ball are probably not going to be seeking out this advice.

[Conuly]

01:33 PM on 07/04/2011

I seldom go to places like this, and when I do I typically bring my own foods because I can't afford to buy theirs.

If I do decide to buy something, since it's a rare event, I'm just gonna get what I want to eat and not worry about it.