a family af-fair

The OC Fair and all it's glory!​
​Our family outing to the fair consisted of too much eating, lots of laughs, a visit to the petting zoo, and crazy good people watching. 

Check out our fun family photos BELOW and some info on processed meats you DON'T WANT TO MISS!!

​X, Cate

Since the fair comes only but once a year I tend to go big. By big I mean foot long corn dog big. I'm such a sucker for corn dogs, even though I cringe at the thought of all the crap I'm eating. Yikes! I guess sometimes you just have to indulge. Are you with me?! Savoring each bite one time a year- it's worth every moment and stomach ache!

HOWEVER, I would NEVER eat this if I was pregnant. The below info refers to all processed meats that contain nitrites. Avoid hot dogs and luncheon meats, including deli ham, turkey, bologna, and salami — unless they have been reheated until steaming hot. 

HERE'S WHY-
Corn dogs/hot dogs (and other meats listed above) contain nitrates. These chemicals react with amino acids in foods in the stomach to form highly carcinogenic compounds known as nitrosamines. Key word: "carcinogenic" meaning "having the potential to cause cancer" (Wikipedia).

Also, the word "fried" is usually associated with unhealthy. So put a bunch of nitrates and nitrites (from the hot dog) in batter, then fry it using refined vegetable oils (AKA human made oils) such as corn, safflower, sunflower, canola and soy; viola, you have yourself the reason to say NO to corn dogs during pregnancy (or anytime for that matter). These polyunsaturated oils break down cell growth and can increase inflammation, weight gain, and the risk of cancer.

Furthermore, nitrates pose a potential risk to react with the protein hemoglobin that delivers oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. When nitrates become nitrites and react with hemoglobin (oxygen transporting protein), they produce modified proteins called methemoglobins CDC.  WHY IS THIS OF IMPORTANCE WHEN PREGNANT: These methemoglobins aren't able to deliver oxygen as they should, and your baby in your tummy depends on your hemoglobin to deliver oxygen to the placenta- thus helping your baby affectively grow and remain healthy.

On the flip side, don't stress yourself out if you ate a corn dog or hot dog or two. Just don't over do it ; ). Everything in excess is no bueno.

​Remember, #mamaskeepinitreal

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