• Font Size    

Most Popular Videos Featured On KDKA.com

Local Highway To Be Renamed I-376
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Eating Smart At The Three Rivers Arts Festival

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +   
Jun 9, 2009 5:18 pm US/Eastern

Eating Smart At The Three Rivers Arts Festival

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― The food is part of the fun at the Three Rivers Arts Festival.

The selections are not the healthiest, but you don't have to completely blow your diet.

The temptations are everywhere, calling your name: cheese fries, cheese steak, funnel cake.

But UPMC dietician Leslie Bonci, who counsels the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, says you do have some great choices at the festival if you're on a diet.

First, what not to eat.

"The first thing that stood out to me was fried vegetables. Yes, kind of like an oxymoron. If you really want to eat vegetables, this is not the way to have them."

A plate of fried veggies with cheese can add up to 1,000 calories.

And if the "home of the belly buster" beckons, remember, a cheese steak sandwich is about 900 calories. A half-pound hamburger is 700 calories.

And if it says "jumbo," split it with someone. A foot-long hot dog is 750 calories.

That applies to the massive kettle corn bag.

And the Pittsburgh favorite funnel cake? If you just can't say "no," Leslie says just split it with a few people and it's perfectly fine for dessert.

So, now that your mouth is really watering, what won't kill your diet?

How about the lobster burger, which is outside Gateway One? It is basically lobster and crabmeat, which is a lean meat. There's some mayo in there to hold it together but its' grilled, not fried, so it's a terrific choice.

There's also sweet corn, only 200 calories and salads and wraps.

You can get Greek food, like hummus, grape leaves and falafel. Each is about 500 calories for a plate.

"I opted for the Greek platter because you got a little bit of everything and it looks delicious and homemade dressing with it," said Kim Peterson of Allison Park. "I'm trying to be a little bit healthy, but I have to admit the funnel cake may be for dessert."

A grilled chicken pita sandwich is only 350 calories.

Leslie says of all the options for a full meal at the arts festival, the fajita with grilled chicken and fresh vegetables, without the sour cream, is the best option.

For dessert, Leslie says go for the chocolate covered strawberries or the soft serve ice cream. Each is only 150 calories.

But for some people, even with these lower-calorie options, the festival's about the fun, not the diet.

"On a day like this, health is out the window. Just go for it," Said Gwen Levert in Point State Park.

Leslie says if you really want the fattening food, split it with a friend so you have half the calories, and don't forget about the calories in the drinks. Go for the smoothie or the small lemonade for a healthier choice.

Leslie will talk about more of the options at the festival Wednesday on Pittsburgh Today Live at 9 a.m. on KDKA.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Featured Slideshows On KDKA.com

You need the latest Flash player to view video content.
Click here to download.

Click here to bypass this detection if you already have the latest Flash Player.

Food/Recipes

Top News Stories

© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.