Buffet Success Story

shrinkingbrian · June 2013

I went to a buffet last night with the wife and kids. Before when I went to a buffet, I would eat until I was literally bloated and my stomach was aching. Last night, I had salad with lots of veggies and drank two large glasses of water about 15 minutes before we ate. For main course, I had some mashed potatoes and ham with corn and a roll. For dessert, I had a cinammon roll. I am trying to listen to my brain to tell me when I'm full. I try to use moderation and portion control. When I stepped on the scale today for my daily weigh-in, I didn't gain any weight! I also exercised with walking, lifting weights, and swimming. I am trying to learn moderation and portion control. I find it also helps to eat slower and drink water before you eat. Do you avoid all buffets or can you find moderation and eat healthy at buffets? I'm curious how others deal with buffet restaurants.

Acg67 · June 2013

I went to a buffet last night with the wife and kids. Before when I went to a buffet, I would eat until I was literally bloated and my stomach was aching. Last night, I had salad with lots of veggies and drank two large glasses of water about 15 minutes before we ate. For main course, I had some mashed potatoes and ham with corn and a roll. For dessert, I had a cinammon roll. I am trying to listen to my brain to tell me when I'm full. I try to use moderation and portion control. When I stepped on the scale today for my daily weigh-in, I didn't gain any weight! I also exercised with walking, lifting weights, and swimming. I am trying to learn moderation and portion control. I find it also helps to eat slower and drink water before you eat. Do you avoid all buffets or can you find moderation and eat healthy at buffets? I'm curious how others deal with buffet restaurants.

If I was going to a place that was all you can eat, I'm going to eat a lot but not all I can eat which would push me in excess of 20k cals

bethany41h · June 2013

I have poor self control... I try to stay far, far away from them. I do so much better to just order and have to eat what's put in front me. I hope sometime to be able to go to a buffet and not snag some of the unhealthy foods.

jniels1975 · June 2013

don't go. avoid them. the food is usually overpriced based on what you are going to get to eat, ie salad, ham n taters probably isn't the cost of what you spent. You're eating differently now so choose a restaurant that serves the food you should be eating in the servings you should be eating too. BYT I think buffets are sick, ppl handle the spoons then drop them in the food which is the same as using your hand to get the food. Keep that in mind and the buffet doesn't sound so good.

jakidb · June 2013

I find that with "buffets" I no longer just "go for it" Lol!!! I too use "portion control" and just make btr food choices. I make sure I have a nice salad and not so much the "extra" salads (i.e. potato, pasta, seafood, etc) though from time to time I may add a "spoonful" of one. Then when I prepare my "main course" I go for a meat that's lean--bake chicken, roast beef, etc., a veggie (or two) and MAYBE a starch. For whatever reason I am "losing" my once RAGING APPETITE for "sweets" so I don't indulge like I used to. From time to time maybe ice cream. I definitely understand where you're coming from and Kudo's on "control" for you

It's about lifestyle change and you appear to be transitioning very well.

:):)

jwdieter · June 2013

Embrace a rational approach to sunk costs, and eat what will make you happiest.

rosemaryhon · June 2013

I went to a buffet last night with the wife and kids. Before when I went to a buffet, I would eat until I was literally bloated and my stomach was aching. Last night, I had salad with lots of veggies and drank two large glasses of water about 15 minutes before we ate. For main course, I had some mashed potatoes and ham with corn and a roll. For dessert, I had a cinammon roll. I am trying to listen to my brain to tell me when I'm full. I try to use moderation and portion control. When I stepped on the scale today for my daily weigh-in, I didn't gain any weight! I also exercised with walking, lifting weights, and swimming. I am trying to learn moderation and portion control. I find it also helps to eat slower and drink water before you eat. Do you avoid all buffets or can you find moderation and eat healthy at buffets? I'm curious how others deal with buffet restaurants.

You did good

Personally I wouldn't go to a buffet at this point, especially if it was just my husband and kids and thus I'd have strong veto power LOL (as opposed to with friends who might have chosen the place).

I wouldn't go mostly because it wouldn't be worth it to me to limit myself to just 'some mashed potatoes and ham'. What's the fun of a buffet if I'm gonna just try such a few items?

Also in my experience often buffet food is not all that tasty/wonderful, and so I'd rather have indulged a more delicious restaurant meal.

But I do applaud you trying to listen to your brain re: being full ~ hopefully that'll be a lifelong good habit!

rosemaryhon · June 2013

don't go. avoid them. the food is usually overpriced based on what you are going to get to eat, ie salad, ham n taters probably isn't the cost of what you spent. You're eating differently now so choose a restaurant that serves the food you should be eating in the servings you should be eating too. BYT I think buffets are sick, ppl handle the spoons then drop them in the food which is the same as using your hand to get the food. Keep that in mind and the buffet doesn't sound so good.

Yea, all this ^^.

aprilgal412 · June 2013

I am a true believer in learning self control. If you and your family enjoy the variety of a buffet and you can control your portions - just as if you went to order food where it is served. I applaud you on your weight loss journey and learning to read your body. I am just beginning, but have told myself that if we want to enjoy a buffet, then I will make the same healthy choices as if I was preparing my meal at home or going to a friend's party etc. It was difficult avoiding the foods I would always pile on my plate - but I have walked around the buffet first, to see what is offered, and then make my choice. I only make one plate - no more going up for more. There are good and healthy buffet choices out there and with a family, it is cheaper then going to a sit down restaurant. Good luck on your journey.

LorinaLynn · June 2013

The few times I go to a buffet, I still end up getting 3-4 plates of food, then dessert. My eating habits haven't changed that dramatically, because my eating habits weren't all that bad... they just didn't align with my activity level. Amping up my activity and tweaking my diet to make it a little more healthy (but probably not any less calorie-dense) was what I needed.

If I'm at a buffet, I want my money's worth and then some. :laugh: Actually... I feel that way at any restaurant. If all I'm going to have is 500-600 calories, I can stay home for that.

mdepko · June 2013

I won't avoid them, but they are not my first choice anymore as they would have been in the past. And I, like you, would eat until I was literally miserable. I've been to 2 of them since I started this and both were Chinese, I was very particular what I ate, and I definitely paid attention to portion control.

lucyhross · June 2013

Buffets kill me unless im not in the same room as them! although saying that i haven't been to one in a very long time so maybe i should put myself up to the challenge some time?!

barb1241 · June 2013

The Chinese buffet is my nemesis. The others-meh-don't care for them at all. I've lost somewhere between 70-80 lbs now, depending on the day, and unfortunately, I can't resist the buffet. I think I eat less each time than I used to, because I just can't stuff as much in before I feel stuffed, but I still eat too much when I go. overall, I am sure I would've lost more had I avoided it, but I would also have missed going. I have to think of moderation as going less often rather than not going at all. If I never went, I would rebel and the face-stuffing mutiny would be catastrophic.

angelique_redhead · June 2013

I still go. I eat healthy and watch the portion control. Normally I get one plate. It's plenty.

krithsai · June 2013

The few times I go to a buffet, I still end up getting 3-4 plates of food, then dessert. My eating habits haven't changed that dramatically, because my eating habits weren't all that bad... they just didn't align with my activity level. Amping up my activity and tweaking my diet to make it a little more healthy (but probably not any less calorie-dense) was what I needed.

If I'm at a buffet, I want my money's worth and then some. :laugh: Actually... I feel that way at any restaurant. If all I'm going to have is 500-600 calories, I can stay home for that.

Agreed.

nomayo · June 2013

Buffets work better for my husband and I when we go out to eat: he gets whatever he wants (healthy or not) and for me, I don't have a problem watching my portions. I don't get the deep fried things (like I used to) or have 2 plates of desserts with ice cream (like I used to), and a plate filled with mac & cheese.

If I want dessert I have fruit. It's not like I love going to buffets, because for me, nothing beats what I can cook at home (and I know what I'm putting in my food), but for that "every once in a while" going out for dinner, it's OK.

BenPolonowski · June 2013

I don't typically go to buffets anymore, but I have run into similar "buffet" situations at parties. During graduation party season, I would remind myself that it is fine to have some of the food, but it is not an excuse to eat till I am full. Typically, I enjoy something that I don't often eat, like a small rib, or a few meatballs. Then I just focus on socializing, and if I need something to eat, I look for some fruit. I still do not have the willpower to try and eat chips and dip, it is just to tempting for me. I also will have some dessert if it looks like it is worth eating, like something homemade.
The biggest thing that I keep in mind when eating at any type of "buffet" situation, is the portion controls that I have learned in the past months.

juliasays77 · June 2013

While out of town recently, my sister took me to a casino buffet for lunch. I knew ahead of time this outing was planned, and worked out extra and had a very light breakfast that morning.

I ate 2 plates full, plus a plate of tiny desserts (probably 7-8 different ones). I steered clear of breads, pasta, and anything with a creamy sauce. I had lots of veggies, a couple of small servings of meat, and some fresh fruit. I was very full, but not miserably so, when I was finished.

I was fully prepared to have gained weight when I got home- but I was actually down 0.8 lb. It's definitely not something I'd do on a regular basis, though.

ChristinaR720 · June 2013

The few times I go to a buffet, I still end up getting 3-4 plates of food, then dessert. My eating habits haven't changed that dramatically, because my eating habits weren't all that bad... they just didn't align with my activity level. Amping up my activity and tweaking my diet to make it a little more healthy (but probably not any less calorie-dense) was what I needed.

If I'm at a buffet, I want my money's worth and then some. :laugh: Actually... I feel that way at any restaurant. If all I'm going to have is 500-600 calories, I can stay home for that.

This is just all kinds of awesomeness.

chezjuan · June 2013

I pretty much stopped doing buffets when I started losing weight. Not for specific diet issues, but because I felt that I was not getting the value for my money because I only eat one serving now. :bigsmile:

AlliBarlik · June 2013

I don't typically go to buffets anymore, but I have run into similar "buffet" situations at parties. During graduation party season, I would remind myself that it is fine to have some of the food, but it is not an excuse to eat till I am full. Typically, I enjoy something that I don't often eat, like a small rib, or a few meatballs. Then I just focus on socializing, and if I need something to eat, I look for some fruit. I still do not have the willpower to try and eat chips and dip, it is just to tempting for me. I also will have some dessert if it looks like it is worth eating, like something homemade.
The biggest thing that I keep in mind when eating at any type of "buffet" situation, is the portion controls that I have learned in the past months.

I agree, this can be the worst kind of buffet! Especially because you don't know what will be available. I am a teacher, so we occasionally eat

. I have started bringing healthy items because I know I will eat that.
My favorite buffet is a seafood buffet at the beach. That is my favorite and I will admit, I will have that 1 time this summer and be completely happy about it!!!

jenillawafer · June 2013

Let's just hope I'll be just as successful tomorrow. I'm taking my pops out for Father's Day (working on Sunday) and that's where he chose to go. *fingers crossed* I turn into a ravenous beast with all of the options placed before me.

shelbielmiller · June 2013

I was doing well on MFP, and my friend invited me to a Chinese buffet for dinner. I figured I'd try it out and just avoid the fried foods and noodles and only have one serving. That didn't turn out so well. I ended up getting two large plates that included both fried foods and noodles. I just couldn't resist. So I think I may just avoid buffets from now on. But way to go! Sounds like you did well at the buffet!

endoftheside · June 2013

I haven't been to a buffet since I started here on MFP. The option has come up a couple of times, but I would rather not at this point. When I think of it I still want half a plate of fried shrimp, and rolls oozing with honey butter. Hmm, that's all the "bad" stuff I want, really, so maybe I could pull it off. I still don't feel like I would really get my money's worth and there is a local place just down the road that is less expensive, made from scratch food, and delicious so I'd rather go there. The Chinese buffet, I think I could do OK there (sushi, non-breaded meats, interesting Asian veggies, take it easy on the crab rangoon). I just kinda hate the concept of all you can eat right now and I don't want to pull something working my moderation muscle too hard. :laugh:

Athena53 · June 2013

Congratulations on your restraint! DH and I avoid buffets, mostly because he eats so little anyway and I don't eat enough to get my money's worth. Like the others, I tend to go light on meat and go back for refills of vegetables, with maybe a small portion of dessert. IMO, buffets are priced for overeaters and they either make up for it with stuff that's cheap and filling or they charge a lot. I'd rather go somewhere else and pay less for a small serving of better quality food.

Buffets at parties are easy- I back away from the food after I've eaten and socialize a lot. I alternate glasses of wine with club soda, to keep from overdoing alcohol and keep the calories down.

scrapjen · June 2013

I go out and visit my folks a couple times a month, my mom always wants to go out to eat and she always wants to go to a buffet. It is hard ... one thing I've done is log the food as I eat it (on my phone) ... I know it may not be the most "polite" thing (like texting during dinner) but my mom knows I'm trying to control calories. One of her favorites Golden Corral is a national chain, so they do have their calories posted online and most of them are in the MFP database - so I could see the calories added as I ate them, and I even checked out a couple of things before I went back to the food. I did the opposite and had skipped breakfast in anticipation of lunch, "banking" my calories for the meal ... It is hard to keep the calories low but keeping the lunch social (lots of talking) and only taking small portions (thus having to get up and go back for more, at least moving a bit during the meal) I felt I did pretty good.

Buffet Success Story

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