Great Minnesota Get Together

In just a few moments, I will be leaving my house to go to the most spectacular state fair in the world (or at least country, or perhaps at least in the midwest...)

THE GREAT MINNESOTA GET TOGETHER!

This week the Minneapolis Star Tribune ran an article about all the grandly healthy fair food a gal can eat and they were so kind, they broke down all of the calories and fat grams and the number miles one would have to walk to burn off the calories. SUPERB!




Do the math: The calories add up
The calories add up. And the fat. Which means, of course, so do the miles needed to walk off the excess.

By LEE SVITAK DEAN, Star Tribune

Yes, it's State Fair time, and by the end of today (or any of the 11 following days), many of us will have to pay for the extra baggage that comes with the fair (and we're not talking about free literature and shopping bags). You know what I mean. That roasted ear of corn with butter that dribbles down your arm comes at a cost. So do the French fries dangling from your fingers. As for the cheese curds? Well, eat them slowly, because it will take plenty of time to burn them off. So enjoy your once-a year treats from the Great Minnesota Eat-Together. And then get walking. Here are the believe-it-or-not statistics on the top-selling fair foods.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
8 to 10 (1/2- oz. each) 580 calories, 26 g fat, 6 miles to walk.

PIZZA
5 oz. pepperoni, 404 calories, 17 g fat, 4 miles to walk

CORN DOG3.7 ounces (regular size), 350 calories, 25 g fat, 3.5 miles to walk

ICE CREAM
Single scoop (vanilla or strawberry), 290 calories, 18 g fat, 3 miles to walk

CHEESE CURDS
7 oz. (1 container), 1,140 calories, 81 g fat, 11.5 miles to walk

FRENCH FRIES
25 medium, with ketchup, 310 calories, 14 g fat, 3 miles to walk

MINI-DONUTS12 (11/2- in. diameter), 720 calories, 37 g fat, 7 miles to walk

FOOT-LONG HOT DOGWith bun, condiments, 540 calories, 31 g fat, 5.5 miles to walk

ROASTED CORN-ON-THE-COB
1 large ear with 2 tsp. butter, 200 calories, 9 g fat, 2 miles to walk

PORK CHOP ON STICK
4 ounces, 290 calories, 17 g fat, 3 miles to walk


Calculations based on 180-pound individual burning 100 calories per mile at a brisk walk. From "Compendium of Physical Activities," Medical Science Sports Exercise, 2000:32 (Suppl): S498-S516. Nutritional information from Bea Krinke, registered dietitian, St. Paul.