how do u handle eatin at a buffet?

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  • SLLeask
    SLLeask Posts: 489 Member
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    Oh c'mon guys, please stop saying "don't go", it's just ONE meal!!! Please stop demonising food!

    I LOVE buffets, I just don't go mad. Have a look what's there, go for the healthier stuff, don't pile your plate up high or go back for loads and loads. I don't like mixing my food, so I go up several times but come back with little tasters of different things. Takes time to queue up and walk to and from the table (see, I've even worked in some exercise in there for you!). Don't have loads of desserts, just choose a small portion of whatever looks really good.

    Sit back, relax, enjoy, think what a lovely meal and time you have had then get on with the rest of your life. One meal will NOT make you fat even if you snarf the lot!

    If you are really worried, up your exercise / cut a few calories for a day or two before and/or after.

    But most of all, don't feel it's a huge issue, it's a treat, it's not like you plan to do it everyday!

    Have a lovely meal!
  • Velum_cado
    Velum_cado Posts: 1,608 Member
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    I manage it by going to a buffet once or twice a year. I *will* gorge myself. But I believe in everything in moderation, so I moderate by hardly ever going.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
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    I don't go to buffets often but when I go, I treat it as any other restaurant. First, I drink a glass of water. Next, I eat portion size servings. I do not go back for seconds.
  • Muffie22
    Muffie22 Posts: 77 Member
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    Badly :P
  • loribethrice
    loribethrice Posts: 620 Member
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    I don't eat at restaurants unless their website lists the nutritional values of every meal.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
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    One-off? Just get your money's worth. Every week? Don't go so often!

    You will put on weight but you'll easily lose it. Best not weigh for a week.
  • swertyqwerty
    swertyqwerty Posts: 81 Member
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    Don't go. Why put yourself in that position? Go to a normal restaurant
  • abadvat
    abadvat Posts: 1,241 Member
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    Haaaaa, good ol' buffets - orgy of protein and fat and the odd carb here and there.
    Keep a mental note, enjoy, guestimate when tracking and move on!
  • KharismaticKayteh
    KharismaticKayteh Posts: 322 Member
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    Moderation..Moderation,,Moderation!!
    Stick to the fruit and salads and fishes try and avoid the pastas. But honey also allow yourself a "cheat day" denying tempations for to long or never allowing yourself to enduldge can lead to a severe bingee

    I'm so glad someone said it! I eat at a buffet so rarely that whenever someone does suggest we do, I feel like, "Hell yes, it's been forever and I deserve this." Obviously, don't do anything you would be ashamed of or eat yourself sick, but don't feel guilty about enjoying yourself if buffet dinners are infrequent and you've been doing really well.
  • JaneyB311
    JaneyB311 Posts: 80 Member
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    It's healthy to 'indulge' and go over your calorie limit (if you have one) now and then.
    You're not going to a buffet everyday so this is a once in a while treat. Eat there in around about the balance of what you normally eat, so most likely a lot of vegetables, full plate of salad - That's already probably 2 plates, you could maybe throw a little extra with the veggies like whatever meat they have. Don't worry if the vegetables have butter on them, it's not that bad for you at all - and again this is not something you're doing often. Ok so you're two plates down, dessert - most buffets have a lot of fresh fruit. A fruit salad with one scoop of ice cream or some fresh cream is really a gorgeous treat. This is your ONCE IN A WHILE. It's not a 'cheat' or anything. To fit within calories at these things eat mostly salad and don't put extra like cream or sauce on your food.

    I'm afraid I have to agree with the folks saying 'give yourself a break'. OK so don't go to buffets every week, but once in a while? Hell yeah! Just go, enjoy it guilt free, and get back to plan the next day. Remeber this is a lifestyle and a journey we're on, so there will be bumps in the road that you have to navigate along the way. You can't spend your life saying 'I cen't eat that' or 'I can't eat there', it's all about moderation and allowing yourself a treat once in a while. If you're good 99% of the time, then one meal is not going to kill your weight loss. However the feelings of deprivation probably will.
  • josparkle
    josparkle Posts: 141 Member
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    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
    Jlmervin03 Posts: 152 Member
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    If I know I'm going to a buffet I try to excercise more than usual to gain more calories.
  • WranglerGrrl
    WranglerGrrl Posts: 1 Member
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    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
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
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    2 plates at a time. :smokin:
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
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    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
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
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    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
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
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    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
    PayneAS Posts: 669 Member
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    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
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
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    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?

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