Eating Coast to Coast: Food Festivals 2005

In 2005, thousands of cities and towns will celebrate their local delicacies. Cheese, maple syrup, rutabaga, watermelon, cranberries, apples, and wine: All have their own festivals.

Of course, in the rich tradition of almost every state fair, these festivals will involve skewering the food of honor on a stick or plunging it into burning animal fat. But even at a festival, you can gain some nutritional benefit -- if you plan it right.

Here is a list of a few upcoming festivals featuring foods with strong nutritional credentials. With planning, you could nosh your way across the country and live to tell a delicious tale.

Chocolate Festivals

Feb. 5-6. Come to the Chocolate Lovers Festival in Fairfax, Va. You can start off with chocolate chip pancakes with the Kiwanis, scarf home-baked goodies, and take in a lecture on America's favorite flavor. A sit-down tea in period costume is also a possible attraction.

Try not to feel too guilty as you garner your just desserts. Researchers have learned that the dark treat (versus the lighter, milk chocolate version) is loaded with antioxidants called polyphenols and catechins that keep your blood flowing smoothly through your arteries instead of clotting.

To that, Ruth Kava, PhD, director of nutrition at the American Council on Science and Health in New York City, adds: "Yay for chocolate." She tells WebMD that chocolate does indeed contain healthful substances, but it is really one of life's little luxuries. "What would life be without chocolate?" Of course, she then puts on her nutritionist hat and cautions, "Treat it as a luxury rather than a staple."

Strawberry Festivals

March 3-13. The Florida Strawberry Festival kicks off in Plant City, Fla., featuring giant plates of homemade strawberry shortcake and other treats crammed with the crimson fruit.

April 8-10. Going to be closer to New Orleans? The 34th Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival puts a little Cajun spin on the red berry with side dishes of fried alligator and seafood gumbo (at least, I am pretty sure it's not strawberry gumbo, you can never be sure at these shindigs). To work up an appetite you can join the Lions Parade or participate in a hollering contest.

April 8-10. Going to be yahooin' in Texas next spring? Check out the Poteet Strawberry Festival, starring many country & western stars and strawberry renditions.

It's not all hollerin' and shortcake, though. Larrian Gillespie, MD, author of The Goddess Diet, tells WebMD that strawberries protect the brain against oxidative stress (think "rusting") and may slow or prevent age-related brain changes. They contain vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, and copper to name but a few nutrients.

"Strawberries and blueberries," Kava notes, "are low in calories and contain no fat. Pile them on!"