Not all bad for the arteries

Marisa O’Neil

If it’s battered, deep-fried or comes on a stick, chances are you can

buy it at the Orange County Fair.

But for folks who have constitutions strong enough to avoid the

lure of funnel cakes or deep-fried Snickers bars, healthy choices are

lurking at the Fair. With 150 acres to traverse, you can take a brisk

walk to get the heart pumping and make a few stops at the following

places.

* Fresh fruit: Grab a bowl filled with grapes -- the Fair theme --

strawberries, cherries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries.

The aptly-named Terri’s Berries, at the top of Crafters Village,

sells the bowls, along with chocolate-covered berries, dried fruits,

nuts, and fruit smoothies.

“If I’d seen these before the barbecue beef, I would have got

them,” Santa Ana resident Marcie Richardson said, as she eyed the

colorful fruit bowls.

* Fresh fish: For shrimp cocktail with a kick, go to Pepe’s

Mariscos in Country Lane. They have shrimp ceviche, a spicy Mexican

cocktail, and grilled fish or shrimp tacos.

* Hold the bun: The fair may seem like the wrong place for

low-carbohydrate diet devotees. But some concessionaires are catering

to the latest diet fad.

Pignotti’s Gourmet Italian Food, in Country Lane, has the rather

bluntly named Sausage on a Stick and Meatball on a Stick. At the

Burger Joint, at the top of the Food Bazaar, they offer a

lettuce-wrapped, low-carb burger and double burger.

The Burger Joint also has Gardenburgers for the non-meat eaters.

* Spuds, not duds: Carb-lovers can doll up a plain baked potato at

Baker Bob’s, by the Kiddie Carnival, with healthy options like salsa,

mushrooms, broccoli and chives. They also sell baked sweet potatoes,

which are high in healthy beta-carotenes but even yummier with

marshmallows and brown sugar on top.

* Veg out: If you want to eat your vegetables but hold the batter,

Jeanne’s Artichokes on Centennial Way serves the eponymous bud

steamed or in a sandwich. Their artichoke sandwich includes

artichoke, garlic mayonnaise, tomatoes, sprouts and lettuce on French

bread, said stand worker Isaac Arrizon.

Orange residents Leslie and Booker Preston gave the sandwiches

high marks.

“We come for the funnel cakes, but this time we’re eating

healthy,” Leslie Preston said.

* Great grapes: Lest we forget, some studies have shown that red

wine reduces bad cholesterol and the risk of some cancers, and helps

the heart stay healthy. Those who want to test the so-called French

Paradox can sample medal-winning wines in The Courtyard.

* Healthy exhibits: After their children fill up on sugary sweets,

parents can ease their guilty consciences by picking up a free

children’s toothbrush and timer from the Children and Families

Commission of Orange County’s booth in the Orange County Building.

The Health Expo, by the blue gate, features products from

pharmaceutical companies and mattress manufacturers and holds

healthy-cooking demonstrations. The Health Expo’s founder came up

with the idea after seeing the less-than-healthy fare at county

fairs.

“Our goal is to get people to have healthy lifestyles,” event

manager Ferhat Iddir said. “Fairs are the best venues. That’s where

everyday people go.”