Are County Fairs Derailing Your Diet? Learn from Star Performers, Skip the Fried Twinkies

We all love the joys of a good old-fashioned county fair during the summer. From booths tempting us to try our skill at winning a goldfish to concession stands tempting us off our diets with treats such as French-fried Twinkies, it's an event filled with pleasurable experiences.

The problem for those of us on diets: all those fried cupcakes and candies can totally sidetrack us from our weight loss goals! If you think that giving into temptation is just part of the experience, it's time to learn from the top county fair performers themselves.

Getting Clued Into the Surprisingly Healthy Lifestyles of Star Performers

Legend has it that expert entertainers demand endless rounds of alcoholic beverages, or especially prepared treats such as only green M&Ms, imported caviar and champagne with fresh strawberries, or triple fudge chocolate cupcakes shipped from New York to California.

If you use that as an excuse for indulging in fattening foods at summer fairs, it's time to get on the clue train and take your cues from those successful superstars!

California Mid-State Fair Performers Are Hungry for Healthy Treats

Keith Urban, a popular country singer, enjoyed an egg white omelet in the morning, a grilled chicken breast and salad greens at noon, and afternoon snacks of fruit, fish, rice, and veggies, according to his contract in 2006.

In 2008, songwriter and performer John Mayer wasn't as concerned about his food as he was about the environmental aspects of his setting. He requested go-green cleaning products and elimination of smog-producing vehicles left idling. The following year, rockers Styx similarly asked that there be no Styrofoam or little condiment packages deployed backstage (a pox on those plastic catsup, mayo, and mustard containers!).

The Steve Miller Band enjoyed taboulleh, Greek salad, and kebabs with pita bread for lunch. They dined on a turkey dinner -- with no dessert.

Judas Priest rock'n'rollers also skipped the French-fried sweets, asking for a variety of cheeses, tea, and the one type of candy that's been medically shown to have health benefits: chocolate bars!

But What If You Can't Resist Your Annual Fair Treat?

Let's say that all year long, you look forward to a once-a-year treat of French-fried Twinkies. Do you have to feel deprived? No, not if you follow these tips:

1. Plan ahead. Eat a healthy, protein-filled breakfast, such as an egg-white omelet like Keith Urban. You can even enjoy the same extras with your omelet as Keith: chicken, tomato, mushroom, and spinach!

2. Exercise. Walk all over the fair grounds, exploring every aspect and feasting visually.

3. Choose one food treat, such as a single French-fried Twinkie. And share it: find yourself a food and diet buddy. Make a pact with the two of you will share a single sweet treat -- and that will be it.

4. Don't forget to fill up throughout the day on water!

Source for Information on County Fair Performers:
San Luis Obispo Tribune, Sanluisobispo.com.