Not so long ago I went to the state fair. I always enjoy the fair and bring my camera each time I go. I wind up taking quite a few pictures of concession stands that sell some of the most unhealthy foods imaginable. It started out as an amusement but I now think of it as a sad statement about the eating habits of Americans.
Most Unhealthy Foods at the Fairgrounds
The most unhealthy foods at fairgrounds are a result of how that food is cooked. The words “Deep Fried” seem to be painted on every concession sign in the food court.
The first deep fried oddity I remember is the deep fried Oreo. I recall wondering why anyone would concoct such a thing, much less eat one. Since then the deep fried fair craze has gone off the rails. There is now deep fried beer, deep fried bubblegum, deep fried jellybeans, deep fried Kool Aid, peanut butter banana cheeseburger, and deep fried cheesecake. Comparatively, deep fried pickles make a lot of sense.
Most Unhealthy Foods at the Boardwalk
Boardwalks are notorious for having some of the most unhealthy foods the public can buy. From cotton candy to jumbo slices of pizza, the temptations are great. The boardwalk in Belmar, NJ, has its own special enticement.
Sideshow Shakes found on Ocean Avenue are epic contraptions that can tame any sweet tooth. If eating healthy is your preference, the sweet shop on Ocean Avenue may not be for you.
Considered by many to be New Jersey’s best milkshake, a Sideshow Shakes is topped with all of the following: a full size cone filled with ice cream, ice cream stuffed in a waffle, cotton candy, a full size cupcake, a chocolate covered pretzel, an emoji, a gummy bear, a lollipop, a ring pop, and whipped cream.
Bariatric Community Speaks Out: Most Unhealthy Foods We’ve Eaten
The options for unhealthy food are many. Here are some of the most unhealthy, even strange, choices we’ve made in the years leading up to our bariatric surgery.
“Potato chip sandwiches. White bread, mayo, chips.” Potato chips are one of the worst foods you can eat. They are high in trans fat and can contain genetically engineered ingredients. The high temperatures they are cooked at can also form carcinogenic substances.
“Cheese Whiz and Bacon Bits on Ritz Crackers.” Cheez Whiz is a toss up with critics. The con side of the ledger is that it contains naturally occurring or added sugars, is high in sodium, contains a number of controversial ingredients, and is high is saturated fat.
Real bacon bits contain harmful sodium nitrates as well as bad fats and sodium. Imitation bacon bits are processed and not nutritious.
A single serving of Ritz Crackers will probably not fill you up. If you double the serving you will now get twice the calories, grams of fat, saturated fat, and milligrams of sodium.
How about a bagel with bacon and grape jelly? Or Chili Cheese Fritos mixed in ice cream? And pretzel rods dipped in raw brownie batter? Notice the theme here: sugar, fat, salt. Check out the full list of the most unhealthy foods we ate on BariatricPal.
As for me, when I was a (fat) kid, meat and potatoes were the norm for dinner. I vividly recall how happy I would be when Mom served sides of mashed potatoes and kernel corn. I’d take the mashed potatoes and kernel corn and sandwich them in a slice of white bread. Comfort food, yum.
The Verdict
Americans often gravitate toward the most unhealthy foods. It is unfortunate that the list of these foods keeps expanding — and is at times glamorized. The attraction can be magnetic and open a door to very poor consequences.
Living larger than ever,
My Bariatric Life
