Huckabee works the state fair. Photo by John McCormick

By Rick Pearson and John McCormick

DES MOINES—For a diet guru, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee admits that a state fair can by a trying place for someone promoting a healthy diet.

Asked by reporters at an Iowa State Fair appearance about his dietary advice for fairgoers, the Republican presidential contender initially had one word: "Don't."

"It's probably not a politically correct thing to say at the Iowa State Fair on the midway so all I would say is enjoy in moderation," said Huckabee, who dropped more than 100 pounds over a two-year period after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

"I may eat something that is like a meat or a protein. I will probably eat a pork chop, which is good and decent," he said.

Mike Huckabee may be passing up pork on a stick in Iowa, but he was picking his bass guitar with his band, Capitol Offense, a while back in New Hampshire. The music could stop for the former Arkansas governor, however, if he doesn't claim that "noteworthy'' result he's counting on in tomorrow's Iowa Straw Poll. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

"I have two basic rules for food: If it wasn't a food a hundred years ago, it isn't a food today. Second rule, if it comes through a car window, it isn't a food. So that eliminates a lot of stuff out here," he said.

What about a corn dog?

"Corn dogs?" he asked. "We're going to let you have a corn dog. I think I'll leave that one alone. I saw the fried Twinkie booth over here. Don't think you'll see me over there in that line."
How about the potato lollypop?

"You've got to be kidding me," he said. "Even in my fattest days, that doesn't appeal to me."

Try the "hot beef sundae," a beef and mashed potatoes concoction that somewhat resembles its ice-cream namesake?

"My gosh. I'd like to see one cause I can't imagine what it looks like but I don't think I want to taste it," he said. "You're not talking about putting hot beef on ice cream are you?" Assured no ice cream was involved, Huckabee said, "I can see people eating that, but not me."

Instead of dropping pounds, Huckabee was asked if the results of tomorrow's Iowa Straw Poll in Ames, featuring the names of 11 Republican presidential contenders, will result in the dropping of a few of the candidates.

"I sure hope so and I sure hope I'm not one of them," he said. "I could give you some suggestions, but I won't."

Huckabee was predicting a noteworthy finish.

"If the momentum we sense this week is validated tomorrow, then it's a whole new world for us next week," he said.