Chinese Buffet help...

Medea81

Ok, so tomorrow I'm supposed to have lunch with my dad. He loves Chinese buffet so since this is our "make up" for Father's Day he gets to pick the restaurant... They have so many things but not sure what I should go for. and of course they don't list the calories on anything, and even if I asked them they wouldn't know...
So help... What are the do's and don'ts of eating at a Chinese Buffet?
My favorites are Vegetable Lo-mein noodles, sweet and sour chicken, and teriaki(sp?) chicken-ka-bobs. And i can mostly fill up on water and white rice, but my dad is one of those "Eating makes you happy" people, so I need to make it look like I am eating enough.

Jenniferrose194

Chicken and broccoli or beef and broccoli!! Both of those are pretty low cal and high in protein (and yummy)

angelicahinkle

I have thought of this often because we love chinese. I am thinking steamed veggies and rice and a little meat in moderation. One thing I say is to maybe save up some calories and eat what you want within moderation. If I eat out for lunch I eat a light dinner.

Loulady

I would stick to the dishes that are more like stir fry - meat and veggies in thinner sauces, nothing too gloopy or fried.

The chinese buffet near me actually has a hibachi bar where you can load up your plate with raw veggies and meat, and someone cooks it on the griddle for you fresh. Maybe that's an option?

NoAdditives

Fill up on vegetables and protein, not rice.

Springer007

Chicken on a stick is probably a safe play. Probably hight in sodium though. Actually its all gonna be high in sodium. Beef and Broccoli could also be a safer play. Try to stay away from the chickens with any kind of breading.
The Chinese buffet is my FAVORITE, but I have not faced it since I started my diet. I can not resist pigging out.

brittany103

Chinese is just bad. I love it so when I eat it (at least once a month if not more, I had to cut back from once a week) I just eat what I like and MFP has general calories for chinese, so you have a good estimate. I do try to drink a lot more water than a normal day because of all the sodium. Also, I had read a post on here a few weeks ago about keeping your sodium and potassium at a 1:1 ratio, so I would suggest eating more potassium that day. Oh and just try to pay attention to your portions. Enjoy your dinner

FungusTrooper

Stick to the meat and veggies, and skimp on the carb-filled rice/noodles. Avoid the deep-fried battered meats too in place of the unbattered ones.

Avoid the full-cal soft drinks/alcoholic beverages, and make sure you drink enough water! Chinese food is incredibly salty!

Most of all, enjoy it - unless you go every other day, one big meal isn't going to kill you. It might upset your stomach though, if it isn't used to such greasy food!

Bobby_Clerici

Sorry, I'd call this a "free day" and have at it.
When I go to a Chinese buffet, each plate is about 1500 calories, and I usually get 3.
LOVE IT!
As for you?
Stick with the tofu and seaweed...:sick:
Or consider just having a fabulous time with your dad.....

aspen_matthews

Lots of veggies, lean meats, and most of the soups are low cal as well. Avoid fried items. Everything will be high in sodium, that's pretty unavoidable at those kinds of places.

missdaisy79

Make sure you get a lot of exercise in, and drink a lot of water to counteract the MSG! I'm a sucker for a chinese buffet, and I have no concept of portion control once I'm there with all the goodies in front of me. Maybe just make sure you fill your plate once, take your time eating stuff (I find talking a lot and drinking water helps with this) and treat yourself to a little ice cream with fruit at the end.

NNAhuja

Teriaki should be fine. Mixed vegetables too are usually there along with jello. I'm not sure about the noodles because I think they are fried. I'd go for steamed rice.They may also have some steamed fish. Chicken and broccoli is also good too. Stick to water or unsweetened tea and you should be fine

GermanicKnight

If they have a hibachi grill at the buffet, go with this:

Mushrooms
Broccoli
Chicken Breast
green/red peppers
egg
snow pea pods

Very low calorie and low carb. High in protein. Leave out the noodles and rice.

Sherbog

I would pass up on the rice.

Tonnina

PILE ON THE VEGGIES!!! Get as many steamed veggies on your plate as you can! Try and go for steamed rice not fried rice. Beef and broccoli or other sauteed meats are way better than the battered and fried sweet n sour meats... Shrimp will be the lowest calorie meat item, but if you don't like shrimp or can't eat it, chicken, then pork, then beef. You can do this! Eat more veggies than anything and they will fill you up and they are good for you, loads of fiber!!

skullshank

You know, one time I went to a buffet and I gained a lot of my weight back, about 50lbs

this is a common occurrence.
splurging once will certainly negate all hard work prior.


general tso's FTW!!!

sun33082

Depends on the kind of diet you are eating. For me I would steer clear of rice and noodles because I follow a lower carb, higher protein diet. I would eat the steamed and raw vegetables and the meats that don't have any breading or heavy sauces.

lilybug13

Nothing fried, and avoid as much sauce as possible. Try to eat any steamed meat of vegetables that are available. My favorite is the sauteed green beans, steamed veggies and pepper chicken. They are not great, but IMO just about the best you can get with Chinese buffet

qtiekiki

Try to avoid or eat smaller portions of dishes that have sauce or are fried. Eat more veggies. Eat slowly and drink water, so your body has time to recognize that you are full.

megsmom2

Maybe try going to a Mongolian barbecues instead. Similar flavors....but you control what's in the dish, and can stock up on the veggies.

bodiva88

Of your favorites, the teriyaki chicken is a better choice. No breading. Less sugar. And don't they usually have salads and soups on those bars? A hot and sour soup (particularly one with tofu and no or little pork) can be a decent choice. Be sure to drink plenty of water. The sodium content will be high. And if there is a choice of brown rice instead of white, try that out.

And maybe sharing with your dad that you love to eat, but you need to be eating in moderation in order to be healthy and happy will strike a chord with him. Our dads really do worry about our health.

leomom72

i dont know what to tell you..all i know is its all loaded with sodium, and thats what hurts me..i know its your dad, but eat for you, not for him (i honestly dont want that to sound mean or rude)..good luck

carebear7951

Sorry, I'd call this a "free day" and have at it.
When I go to a Chinese buffet, each plate is about 1500 calories, and I usually get 3.
LOVE IT!
As for you?
Stick with the tofu and seaweed...:sick:
Or consider just having a fabulous time with your dad.....

LOL @ the tofu and seaweed!!! We just went to the chinese buffet on Saturday. Exercise extra??? Drink extra and try to sweat it out!? And let it go and enjoy your time with your dad...then at dinner eat fresh fruit and veggies maybe!?

hiddensmiles21

A big bow of wonton soup! The wontons aren't terrible calorie wise and the broth will fill you up!
And watch the sauces on things....thats where those d*mn calories hide...
But above all just enjoy the time with your dad and don't worry too much, just make good choices for your next meal.

Meggles63

Sorry, I'd call this a "free day" and have at it.
When I go to a Chinese buffet, each plate is about 1500 calories, and I usually get 3.
LOVE IT!
As for you?
Stick with the tofu and seaweed...:sick:
Or consider just having a fabulous time with your dad.....

This!!! It's a special day and only one day at that. Don't sweat it - Enjoy!

cassavaca

the noodles are not that great, and the sweet and sour chicken isnt great as well either since it is deep fried. I would suggest things from the seafood area (lots of times they have baked salmon or crab legs) and if they have steamed veges or a mongolian section where they cook the food right there, you will know what goes in it. then, they always have a huge salad and fresh fruit section, so to fill up on those things will be much better. If you do any sushi rolls, be careful because each one can add up...

Beware of rice, noodles and anything fried and that looks...shiny, since its mostly stir fried with lots of oil.

On another note, stating that your father thinks "eating = happy" doesnt have to apply to you as well. You can eat...just eat better things...and eat SLOWLY and drink as much water in between bites. It wont be so bad...and STAND UP FOR YOURSELF. If he or anyone else makes a comment about what you're eating...tell them that you are eating some healthier choices for you. Dont use the D word. Family can be brutal when it comes to food...but they wont respect you unless you stand up for yourself and show that to them!

Cliffslosinit

You know, one time I went to a buffet and I gained a lot of my weight back, about 50lbs

this is a common occurrence.
splurging once will certainly negate all hard work prior.


general tso's FTW!!!

Will general tso's make my **** look bigger?

susanswan

I would peruse the MFP site to look up Sweet & Sour Pork, Lemon Chicken, etc for a real eye opener of what you are in for. Even harmless looking veggies are usually glistening with oil and calories. Everything is a salt bomb. Go in knowing and plan to have a nice meal with your dad. You can try lots of bites of different things but it doesn't mean you have to eat 3 plates just because it is a buffet. Pay attention to the taste and if anything isn't extraordinary then don't finish it. Concentrate on celebrating time with your dad, and not the food itself. Portion control will probably be your best option for anything you find there.

MFPBrandy

I've got to do this on Friday -- we've got a working lunch at an asian buffet. All I can say is be wary of rice; too many places called fried rice "brown" rice, and it's just white rice that LOOKS brown because it's fried. I'll just be trying to avoid the breaded stuff, and looking for dishes with as many veggies as possible with as little sauce as possible, then totally guestimating on my MFP log...

jenngi620

Once when I first started MFP I went to a CB and had (what I thought was a moderate portion) a plate and a half of my usual picks. There was actually a calorie entry for "Chinese Buffet" and I was shocked at how many calories I likely ate. More recently, my enlightened self went back to a different CB. Knowing what I know now, I spent most of my time filling plates with healthier options. I started with a big salad and peel and eat shrimp- high protein, plus they take a while to eat, which kept me away from some of the calorie bombs. I also like sushi and they had some approximations of that. Again, flavorful and relatively harmless, I avoided the tempura and cream cheese stuffed choices. At the very end, 3 plates later!, I had a tiny portion of just 3 of my favorite Chinese offerings, something like 2 Tbsp lo mein, two small pieces of Generals chicken, and a piece each of beef and broccoli. I was so full by that time I could barely finish it and felt like a master of the diet buffet. I ate along with my tablemates, made 3 satisfying trips, and the calorie count ended up far below my first trip. You will make better choices if you aren't starving, so get some healthy salad and low cal/ high fiber-protein in first. Then you will be ok. Best to go in with a plan, good job from the start!

Onaughmae

I would stick to the egg drop soup, no noodles. Lean meats and protein, nothing fried, stick with the thinner sauces. Steamed veggies. Skip the rice. Thats what I do. There are some decent selections, just try and steer away from the carb heavy, sweet, or fried selections.