It’s that time of year here in Minnesota.  The sun is shining hot; the dew points are high.  Kids everywhere are lamenting the fact that school starts in just a few days.  In the center of the Twin Cities, right between St. Paul and Minneapolis, the smell of frying corn dogs, mini-donuts and horse manure are in the air.  It’s that time of year – the Minnesota State Fair.

Minnesota has a state fair that rivals the biggest in the country – Texas and Iowa.  If you’re a native, you know ours is best, partially because it marks the official end of summer.  Running through Labor Day, many locals and visitors come to see all the fair has to offer – from concerts (acts as big as Carrie Underwood play our State Fair) to the animal birthing center, to the latest gadget in the grandstand.

Oh, and did I mention the food?  The theme of our State Fair is anything and everything on a stick – corndogs, pork chops, waffles, and frozen, chocolate dipped bananas.  The secondary theme is deep fried, as in cheese curds, candy bars, French fries, and the already mentioned corn dogs.

As a dietitian, you might expect me to advise you to seek out the healthiest options – like fruit cups and bottled water and grilled chicken — when you visit county fairs, state fairs and Renaissance festivals.  But that’s not the way I roll.  My advice is to go to the fair that one day and indulge on all your favorites.  Yes, really.  It’s what I do.  It’s what I recommend you do.

But, there’s a caveat.  This assumes that on a typical day, you’re eating well.  You’re getting your 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables.  You limit foods that are high in saturated, trans fat and added sugar/empty calories.  You manage your portions.

I have long lived by the 85-15 Rule.  If 85% of the time, you’re making really nutritious choices (and I mean the best choices possible), the other 15% can include items that are a bit indulgent.   Healthy is the mainstay, and indulgent is the exception.   My visit to the State Fair falls into my 15%.  The food is part of the experience for me.

Is the 85-15 Rule one you can adopt?

Visit www.nuval.com to ensure you’re choosing the best at least 85% of the time.