Buffet Success Story

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shrinkingbrian
shrinkingbrian Posts: 171 Member
in Success Stories
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.
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Replies

  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
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    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
    bethany41h Posts: 218
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    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
    jniels1975 Posts: 27 Member
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    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
    jakidb Posts: 1,010 Member
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    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
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
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    Embrace a rational approach to sunk costs, and eat what will make you happiest.
  • rosemaryhon
    rosemaryhon Posts: 507 Member
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    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
    rosemaryhon Posts: 507 Member
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    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
    aprilgal412 Posts: 17
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    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
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
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    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
    mdepko Posts: 283 Member
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    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
    lucyhross Posts: 87 Member
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    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
    barb1241 Posts: 324 Member
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    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
    angelique_redhead Posts: 782 Member
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    I still go. I eat healthy and watch the portion control. Normally I get one plate. It's plenty.
  • krithsai
    krithsai Posts: 668 Member
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    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
    nomayo Posts: 228
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    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
    BenPolonowski Posts: 115 Member
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    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
    juliasays77 Posts: 92 Member
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    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
    ChristinaR720 Posts: 1,186
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    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
    chezjuan Posts: 747 Member
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    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
    AlliBarlik Posts: 111 Member
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    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!!!

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