Did you gnaw on a giant smoked turkey leg, bite your way through a bucket of Sweet Martha’s Cookies, or down a couple of double bacon corn dogs, each with a side of cheese curds?
Part of enjoying the Minnesota State Fair is sampling all the food. Those who do it best may now be feeling a little fuller around the midsection and flabby in the arms. Researchers at the University of Minnesota estimated fairgoers consume anywhere from 2,000 to more than 6,000 calories per day at the Minnesota State Fair.
“First thing you gotta do is get your head straight,” said Lindy Vincent, host of the award-winning health podcast “Get Lean & Lit with Lindy.” She added that losing extra pounds starts in the mind. “You have to have the right mentality of taking care of your body.”
Vincent says the first step is simple: go online to tdeecalculator.net. “Put all of your stats in, and it’ll all be laid out for you: how much protein, carbs, and fat you should be eating.” The website asks for your age, weight, height, and activity before calculating the number of calories per day you should shoot for if you want to maintain, cut, or add weight.
From there, Vincent said you can put together a plan with foods you actually like to eat that fit inside your allowed calorie intake. “For example, if you’re eating 1,700 calories a day and you know you want to lose one to two pounds, it will tell you to cut between 300 and 500 calories.”
The opposite is true too, and why some Minnesotans add pounds at the State Fair. For example, the giant smoked turkey leg is more than 1,300 calories. A couple of those can easily add weight, especially if you treat yourself to a deep-fried Snickers bar for dessert, which is about 450 calories. Just the two items would fill up an individual’s entire calorie count for the day.
Another important factor that can tip the scales when it comes to calories is exercise. “I love pickleball,” Vincent said. “Do something you enjoy, figure it out, whether it’s swimming or horseback riding.” Exercise helps burn extra calories and makes that funnel cake or milkshake from the Dairy Barn doable. But just one.
Get more health and fitness tips from Lindy Vincent by listening to her podcast Get Lean & Lit with Lindy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
