large meals/buffets effect on you

JaydedMiss
JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Im not worried or anything iv just noticed a change in me and am curious how it works with you guys.

I just went to the mandarin on thursday (chinese all you can eat) I worried all week about it because i have just gotten my appetite an cravings back to normal from easter. The thing is when i eat say alot of cookies or even just alot of saucy meat/oils ill crave "bad" foods for days. Its like it sets a fire under my cravings *kitten*. In the past one day would become like 4 where im like well im going to gain anyway why am i fighting these cravings now.... Stupid thoughts.

Anyway i went i enjoyed lunch and ended at about 2pm. Right up until bed i felt fine satisfied and not hungry so i just went to bed, 2 More days have passed and i still havent been all that hungry just feeding self to fuel because i know its important. No crazy binge thoughts or cravings. This is huge for me.

I have to assume its because i was eating so many greens and veggies and lean meats and fruits beforehand that my body had all it wanted nutrient wise, Even when i went to the buffet it wasnt because i was craving anything it was a family deal.

Its just so weird to have such a complete change. Got me wondering what effect all you can eat or large very off plan meals have on you guys? Do they make you hungrier for a bit? not hungry after? effect your cravings? Set off binges?

Im really just a curious person who likes information :D
«1

Replies

  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    I have had the same shift. I no longer follow overeating with overeating. But I attribute it mostly to being aware that I am responsible for feeding myself properly, that some overeating is not the same as lots of overeating every day for months and years, that I feel in charge of my food choices, and that I don't believe any foods are unhealthy or otherwise dangerous.

    agreed it just physically felt so different even just a few months back id finish and 2 hours later the cravings hit hard and id be hungry. Im glad this time was different made getting on track again easier for sure
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    edited April 2018
    JaydedMiss wrote: »
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    I have had the same shift. I no longer follow overeating with overeating. But I attribute it mostly to being aware that I am responsible for feeding myself properly, that some overeating is not the same as lots of overeating every day for months and years, that I feel in charge of my food choices, and that I don't believe any foods are unhealthy or otherwise dangerous.

    agreed it just physically felt so different even just a few months back id finish and 2 hours later the cravings hit hard and id be hungry. Im glad this time was different made getting on track again easier for sure
    I too feel full and "satisifed" now, by foods I used to think had no nutritional value. I am more relaxed around food, and I have learned to respect and recognize hunger and satiety. It's actually quite amazing :) Oh, and I don't go on and off track anymore :D
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 33,939 Member
    I have to assume its because i was eating so many greens and veggies and lean meats and fruits beforehand that my body had all it wanted nutrient wise

    I have a personal belief that this is part of it.

    When I was eating lots of sweets and snack foods, I would get full at the moment, but have hunger in general. Now that I've been eating lots of vegetables and sufficient protein and fat I don't get that instinctive push to keep eating. I have to believe there is something to your theory - and I've noticed it too.

    Also, I think once I got to a healthy weight my hormones balanced out and it is easier to feel that too-full feeling as a negative now.
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    I think some of it is mental, too. When I'm looking at those foods these days I am thinking beyond the calories for the day and what it's going to do to my routine and progress over the next 3-4 as well. I find it tempers what I choose - did you eat more veg or make slightly different choices at the buffet than you would have in the past?
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,742 Member
    I honestly don't notice a big difference in the hours/days after eating an unusually larger meal such as buffet. I always crave a little something sweet each day, no matter what, but it's not a stronger craving than usual if I've had cake & ice cream at a birthday party during the day (just for example).

    It is pretty common for me to eat a lot more and get a lot more exercise on Saturday (2200-ish cal day versus my usual 1400-1500 cal) and then on Sunday I find myself sleeping in & skipping breakfast and having a normal lunch and dinner...still eating around 1200+ cal, but it's like the indulgent higher calorie day sort of carries over & I'm not as hungry as I am normally.

    I do eat a lot of highly palatable food though all of the time, quite a bit of fat in my diet. It's not uncommon for me to eat a burger with avocado AND scoop of ice cream in a typical day, along with a ton of vegetables & oatmeal, chickpeas, or beans.
  • ScribblyPrimate
    ScribblyPrimate Posts: 7 Member
    edited April 2018
    It will be some time before I eat off-plan, but I'm going to follow your example and eat a light, nutrient-rich meal beforehand.

    My trigger foods are vinegary and/or use umami as primary flavor profiles. Sweets? Not so much.
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    IME buffets normally have meh food and loud environments. I would rather spend my calories on food that is freshly prepared for me. As for not eating too much before a big meal... drink about 10 oz of water at least 10 minutes before the meal. If you are really concerned eat something that is spicy that makes you drink even more during.
  • DomesticKat
    DomesticKat Posts: 565 Member
    Last month I had a really large meal and dessert and went well over my calories for the day. I honestly felt so sick from how full it made me that I didn't want to eat much the next day. I couldn't even sleep I felt so bloated and awful. I don't have any intention of repeating that experience. Maybe I'm just not used to eating like that anymore. In the past I could easily eat 3000+ calories a day and not even flinch.
  • ahoy_m8
    ahoy_m8 Posts: 3,052 Member
    Thanks for posting your observations. I appreciate this thread. Kudos on the shift in your outlook! I basically agree with this:
    NovusDies wrote: »
    IME buffets normally have meh food and loud environments.

    Buffets are just not my thing. The food itself usually isn’t special. It’s often a quantity over quality thing. I really appreciate presentation, how food is plated, which you don’t get at a buffet. Plus, they make me a little anxious because I won’t get “my money’s worth.” It’s never going to be “a good deal” for me. All that notwithstanding, I can get a satisfactory meal at a buffet, and it does not make me ravenous for days. It can be hard to log, though.

    More difficult for me is the day after a night of heavy drinking. I’m much hungrier than normal.
  • justjara123
    justjara123 Posts: 63 Member
    Buffets make me feel awful the next day. Even if I just try a little bit of all the food, I end up getting too full and not really enjoying anything. I don’t think I ever get my money’s worth and I spend the next day sluggish and lacking an appetite for any sort f food. I skip buffets in favor of regular restos with food I like.
  • Kst76
    Kst76 Posts: 935 Member
    edited April 2018
    You guys really need to go to a nice quality buffee...lol
    There is this middle eastern buffee close to me. It is to die for. Its called "Rezas". Its here in Chi town
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,345 Member
    I've had this happen too, for me its because I have been fully satiated, more protein than usual etc so the following day I don't feel the same hunger cues.
    I don't do buffets often but when I do I always will keep an eye on my portions. I can't eat huge portions any more plus I don't like that full to bursting feeling. So I will choose carefully foods that really appeal and stop eating when I'm getting close to feeling full.
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    Interesting. Following along...
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    edited April 2018
    ahoy_m8 wrote: »
    Thanks for posting your observations. I appreciate this thread. Kudos on the shift in your outlook! I basically agree with this:
    NovusDies wrote: »
    IME buffets normally have meh food and loud environments.

    Buffets are just not my thing. The food itself usually isn’t special. It’s often a quantity over quality thing. I really appreciate presentation, how food is plated, which you don’t get at a buffet. Plus, they make me a little anxious because I won’t get “my money’s worth.” It’s never going to be “a good deal” for me. All that notwithstanding, I can get a satisfactory meal at a buffet, and it does not make me ravenous for days. It can be hard to log, though.

    More difficult for me is the day after a night of heavy drinking. I’m much hungrier than normal.
    justjara123 wrote: »
    Buffets make me feel awful the next day. Even if I just try a little bit of all the food, I end up getting too full and not really enjoying anything. I don’t think I ever get my money’s worth and I spend the next day sluggish and lacking an appetite for any sort f food. I skip buffets in favor of regular restos with food I like.

    Im going to touch on this point you guys brought up : moneys worth

    I have the exact same mindset but i realize something that makes that mindset dumb, Yet i still have it.

    Theres 2 buffets i like in london the other ones a few dollars cheaper but lets use the mandarin for my example

    Buffet prices:

    Lunch
    Monday – Friday $18.99
    Saturday, Sunday & HolidaysΔ

    $22.99
    Dinner
    Monday – Thursday $26.99
    Friday – Sunday & HolidaysΔ $28.99

    Lunch monday-friday is under 20$. I mean honestly a good meal from a restaurant where you just get one late and maybe like a small dessert will easily come up to 20$. Even mcdonalds or something can easily hit 20$ for a meal and like a sundae or something (atleast close enough for this point)

    So with those numbers, Its really not hard at all to "get my moneys worth" So i have no clue why even when i know this my brain still tells me i need to stuff myself with everything simply because its a buffet, And i want to get my moneys worth lol. A single plate stacked would get me more then my moneys worth, With a small plate of dessert and a bowl of icecream.

    The other ones a sushi place its like 16$ for lunch and all other sushi places i can find a small sushi platter is between 15-35$ so it makes entire sense to go to the buffet, And since it has 168 menu items and literally like so much different kinds of foods it financially actually makes sense to go there lol even for the more expensive dinner to get my sushi fix

    side note just because its my thread and i feel liek saying it, I was 126 lbs before i went thurs, Went up to 132 lbs.....and now its monday and im down to 122.4 lol. all time lows past 2 days
  • justjara123
    justjara123 Posts: 63 Member
    edited April 2018
    Well actually it’s because I’m physically small (5”0) and can only eat so much. I literally cannot get my money’s worth in a buffet, even if I workout prior or skip a meal so that I’m extra hungry.

    Buffet’s where I’m from are 2-5x the price of a good, regular meal. I’m a cheap date because I’m satisfied by small to regular sized meals but I do have to eat pretty frequently (I eat 5 meals) so I’d really just prefer a regular resto.
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    justjara123 wrote: »
    Well actually it’s because I’m physically small (5”0) and can only eat so much. I literally cannot get my money’s worth in a buffet, even if I workout prior or skip a meal so that I’m extra hungry.

    Buffet’s where I’m from are 2-5x the price of a good, regular meal. I’m a cheap date because I’m satisfied by small to regular sized meals but I do have to eat pretty frequently (I eat 5 meals) so I’d really just prefer a regular resto.

    ya my point was not that you eat alot more at a buffet but that youd likely be paying close to the same amount basically anywhere you went to eat out :p

Categories