how do u handle eatin at a buffet?

josparkle

One meal - admittedly potentially one large meal - but it's just one meal.

There's some great advice here about what to choose over what not to choose and I'm sure you'll do that.

For what its worth, If it were me, I would remind myself of my maintenance calorie allowance before I went which will put a different cut off point into my head and I wouldn't berate myself for busting my deficit calorie goal. I would also eat a little less and exercise a little more the day before, and after.

Then when I'm there I would take time to look at what looks really great and try that. Perhaps its easier to imagine that instead of being given a menu to choose from, they are showing you all the possibilities on one enormous table. You wouldn't normally order/eat all the menu so you don't need to eat from all the buffet, but you can have little tastes and that's what make buffets fun.

Typically buffets do have lots of what I call frozen and fried stuff - and you can have a little of that especially if its something that you've been missing and it looks enticing. However, they also usually have lots of great salad combinations, leaner meats and seafood which is where I would major personally with lower fat dressings or a tiny spot of something more indulgent on the side.

Then there's pudding - its not something that I crave but I appreciate it is many people's downfall - so a decent sized piece of something standout gorgeous or tiny tastes of several, like a cake tasting.

The key issues with buffets are that people do feel the need to choose and eat very quickly, make repeat trips to get their monies' worth and then sadly not feel good after. I know I've done that before. But if you can take it more slowly, make deliberate choices as you would at any other mealtime then you will do fine.

And if you don't, its one meal on one day and maybe it will mess with your deficit for one week or so, but its just that. Above all, enjoy your meal and time with your partner. I hope you have a lovely day out.

Jlmervin03

If I know I'm going to a buffet I try to excercise more than usual to gain more calories.

WranglerGrrl

I was in the same boat a couple weekends ago (casino buffet). The salad bar with a small bit of light dressing will be your best friend. Take tiny amounts of the things you REALLY want to try. Lean towards shrimp and cocktail sauce (go easy on the sauce too) if you like shrimp. The desserts are numerous and decadent for sure, so pick the one you want the most and enjoy! It is only one meal, right? You probably don't do it all the time so don't be too hard on yourself and have fun.

randomtai

2 plates at a time. :smokin:

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Holly_Roman_Empire

I don't go to buffets. Well, I hardly ever do. It's not a calorie thing as much as an "I don't eat enough to justify paying for it" thing.

AsaThorsWoman

Well, honestly, I don't eat at buffets.

http://greatist.com/health/16-tips-conquer-buffet-binging

I would add about 20% to whatever you think you're eating as well, since you don't have access to a scale/measuring cups.

These are good ideas!

I like the last one...

Committing to a physical activity AFTER eating.

That seems like it would be practical and effective.

Can't eat till I get sick if I know I'm about to move!

SonicDeathMonkey80

As you're looking at it, start at the right (or the end cart). The end is where they put the high dollar stuff. If you load up at the beginning, you're just getting the cheap stuff and playing into their game.

Salads, breads, pastas, etc really defeat the purpose of a buffet. You need to start with the crab legs, shrimp, and other fancy stuff.

And wear a pair of reliable elastic waisted pants.

PayneAS

Someone has probably already said it but I don't feel like reading 2 pages of.

Portion sizes.

Keep each portion to half a palm sized. Don't load up your plate, only put 2 or 3 items on each plate. Only go back 2, maybe 3, times.

AsaThorsWoman

First go for the meats. I'd say at least two plates worth. Once you'e done there you're going to want to get a baked potato and fill it with mac & cheese. Then cover that with nacho cheese from the nacho area. If there's room left in the tank after all that it's time to hit the desserts. Many people overlook the soft serve machine. Don't. The three different kinds of cake you get are going to taste like crap without ice cream on top of them.

LOL's right?

AsaThorsWoman

As you're looking at it, start at the right (or the end cart). The end is where they put the high dollar stuff. If you load up at the beginning, you're just getting the cheap stuff and playing into their game.

Salads, breads, pastas, etc really defeat the purpose of a buffet. You need to start with the crab legs, shrimp, and other fancy stuff.

And wear a pair of reliable elastic waisted pants.

Exactly!

Or some stretchy yoga pants!

OMG this thread is cracking me up!

FancyPantsFran

I always walk the buffet and look at what they have available. I try to stay with salad, shrimp, chicken . and steamed veggies. That way if I want to sample some desserts I feel I can.

becky10rp

I don't like buffets - I have a problem with a gazillion peoples' hands being around food I'm going to potentially eat.

If I have to go, I:

1. take one trip up
2. concentrate on fruits and veggies
3. salads - use either low cal or the oil and vinegar at the end of the buffet line

It's best to walk up and 'scan' the buffet first to see what you will take before you go up 'cold' - decide ahead of time what you're gong to eat and take small portions, no over-flowing plate.

NettaB25

EASY... I dont go to buffet's. I always hated them for some reason. If I go for some type of work related activity (which isn't often) I stick to salads and a Roll.

katematt313

Eat salad or low cal veggies first until you are nearly full, then eat some protein.

tmj4477

Eat a lot of salad with little to no dressing. Then a small piece of meat and starch

SonicDeathMonkey80

Eat salad or low cal veggies first until you are nearly full, then eat some protein.

NO. That's just ridiculous and a total waste of money.

Bri_Becq

I don't, ever.
I prefer quality over quantity.
The former is not found at buffets.

What he said...

SonicDeathMonkey80

As you're looking at it, start at the right (or the end cart). The end is where they put the high dollar stuff. If you load up at the beginning, you're just getting the cheap stuff and playing into their game.

Salads, breads, pastas, etc really defeat the purpose of a buffet. You need to start with the crab legs, shrimp, and other fancy stuff.

And wear a pair of reliable elastic waisted pants.

Exactly!

Or some stretchy yoga pants!

OMG this thread is cracking me up!

I forgot vegetables. You need to avoid those as well. Just empty filler on buffets, but not as bad as the bread and salad (roughage).

missyjane824

I generally will stick with buffets earlier in the day and then not eat for the rest of the day. I also won't eat anything before it so it is the only meal of the day. I like the full feeling I get and it lasts the entire day.

sunflowerhippi

My husband loves this one chinese buffet but I am lucky as they have a lot of fresh fruits. So my first plate is always a ton of kiwi and strawberries. As kiwi's are kinda expensive so I don't stock them at home, and plus makes me feel like I am getting my money's worth at the buffet. Then I found they have a good tilapia. Yes it is covered in butter and old bay but meh I can deal with that as buttery fish is better then half the chinese food options around the place. I grab some chicken on a stick and other protein based things with less sauce that I like and I call it a day. This is normally my breakfast and lunch for the day as well.

AsaThorsWoman

I anticipated this problem with our Mid-summer celebration last weekend (and next).

I had coffee for breakfast and coffee for lunch, and walked a few miles.

That set me up with 1,900kcal available (when my goal was 1,600.)

I estimated my partaking to be 3,000kcal, it's a religious holiday (6/21/14 solstice), I have to (and want to!) drink the horn of mead!

Some how, must have been the magic mead horn, (or blistering hot sauna weather) I came out of the next day DOWN 0.2 lb.

I don't know. That's what I do.

When I know I'm going to have a big one, just skip breakfast and lunch, and exercise before hand to up your allowance.

And just be mentally OK with "I'm going over today, I'll be OK if I gain 4 lb or less, it's my fault, I'll be bloated, too much sodium and drinking, but that's OK. I have the rest of my life to make up for it."

It's only a few times a year.

amw1919

Unless you think it would be really weird, slip a measuring cup and food scale in your purse.

I would not be ashamed...

dcarter1020

I thank the Lord that I am blessed with an extreme aversion to buffets. I think it's all the people mooing around and touching everything. The sucky part is my husbands family LOVES them. Our typical place is Pizza Ranch, so I stick to salad bar and maybe a few pieces of pizza. That's it. I would keep it to salad bar, protein and maybe a starch? Either way, buffets are an easy place to go over in calories so don't stress about it too much. Hope that helps!

DWBalboa

I start with the tail. Oh wait I think that’s how I eat an elephant. But I’m sure it’ll work for both.

Do you eat like that every day? I seriously doubt it. Will it set you back years? I doubt it. So maybe just let yourself go a little, indulge yourself for once, just don’t go cray-cray.

sseqwnp

One word. Don't.
If you have to. Salad only.
I live in a casino town with lots of buffets. No thanks.
If I must, a taco salad is what I choose.

What if the buffet doesn't have taco salad; then what? THEN WHAT?!?!?

Eat whatever you want. Use portion control, it's super effective!!

Commercial salads are generally less "healthy" (whatever that means) than the "good stuff" on a buffet.

Salad eaters are fooling themselves. For example

levitateme

I eat at buffets once a year, and I eat like 4-5 plates. It's one day. If you think you're going to have an iron hold on your intake every single day for the rest of your life, you're fooling yourself. Live it up at the buffet, just don't let it turn into 6 days of gorging.

likehemingway

I eat at buffets once a year, and I eat like 4-5 plates. It's one day. If you think you're going to have an iron hold on your intake every single day for the rest of your life, you're fooling yourself. Live it up at the buffet, just don't let it turn into 6 days of gorging.

This. If you're on a vacation, just enjoy. Don't restrict because you're scared. Enjoy in moderation.

IoveIy

I have changed my whole mindset towards buffets. I used to always over indulge in the past, but now, I look at it as an opportunity to be able to better control how much I am eating.

Typically, I'll only have some sort of salad anytime when eating out because it is both a healthy option and easily trackable on MFP.

My best tip is to resist temptation and stick with a healthy option and reasonable portion. Eating against your diet will be enjoyable for the amount of time it takes to devour the food, but the guilt will kick in right after and you'll have only prolonged your goal. That's what I always tell myself.

IMO, I don't like to have any cheat days because it's like taking a few steps back from your goal.

dbmata

I don't, ever.
I prefer quality over quantity.
The former is not found at buffets.

In some particular locales, like Las Vegas and Reno, buffets are treated as a loss leader, and operated with the understanding that getting people in with good food will give them the opportunity to play. So the buffets there are generally very good quality food, and a good quantity of food. As a simple example, when I was working i nthe main kitchen at one, we'd put out about 600# or so of prime rib in an average day. This wasn't standing rib roast, which is the name of the actual cut, but was prime quality rib roast, hence named Prime Rib.

Also, casinos at least purchase in such high amounts that they're getting high quality product for what the indie chinese buffet down the street pays for mediocre product.