For many people, the State Fair is not just about rides and games, it's also about the food. From fried foods to barbecue, the fair offers a midway full of indulgences.

Youngster Gabby Young of Cary had no trouble naming her favorites.

"Cotton candy, funnel cakes, and ice cream," said Young.

Her friend Katie Desmond is a fan of sweet potato fries. Judging by the popularity of deep-fried treats like fried Twinkies and chocolate-covered fried bacon, she is not alone.

But all that indulgence is expensive, calorie-wise. A funnel cake packs 760 calories and 44 grams of fat. The average person needs about 70 grams of fat in a whole day. And you can think of a fried Snickers bar as 440 yummy calories on a stick.

"The problem with eating things on a stick is you're not eating mindfully," said Ashley Honeycutt, registered dietitian with Rex Wellness Center. "You're not paying attention to how much is going in your mouth, you're focused on the rides, the exhibits, and the entire time you're doing it, you're eating."

Honeycutt suggested choosing two or three items that you really want and taking the time to sit down and eat. But be careful what you choose. What may look healthy can be deceiving, like a giant turkey leg.

"Those turkey legs have close to 1,200 calories," said Honeycutt. "For most people, that could be your daily caloric intake."

So what's a dieter to do? Put veggies in that pita sandwich, but ask the vendor to leave off the mayonnaise and sauce. And if you're opting for roasted corn on the cob, forego the butter.

"Corn, by itself, is 200 calories and one gram of fat, so that is definitely one of your better options," she said. "The butter can actually add another 100 to 200 calories. But people love roasted corn, even without the butter."

If you're hankering for a burger, consider trying an ostrich burger. The lean meat has just 96 calories versus 240 for a beef patty. As for other healthier options, Honeycutt said candied and caramel apples aren't too bad, at around 280 calories each and just one gram of fat. The same goes for chocolate-covered frozen bananas.

But if you're like Joan Richardson, of Clayton, and you can't attend the fair without tasting N.C. State's famous ice cream, Honeycutt said go ahead and have some.  Portions are so generous, you might want to share it with a friend.

"Don't feel like you've ruined everything you've worked for," she said. "Tomorrow is a new day. Don't try to compensate by cutting calories too much because then your body is in starvation mode. Just go back to what you usually do, your normal healthy eating and exercise routine."