Chinese buffet - PLEASE HELP

13

Replies

  • 19TaraLynn84
    19TaraLynn84 Posts: 739 Member
    When I know I'm going to any buffet, I try to eat lighter for my other meals, then enjoy that one meal out without counting calories. Also, maybe spare a couple hundred calories from the days before and after? (I look at my weekly totals.) this isn't an everyday thing, so enjoy?
  • Mr_Starr
    Mr_Starr Posts: 139 Member
    1- Drink water
    2- Eat a bit before leaving for the buffet
    3- Drink water
    4- ONE plate rule at the buffet and go for the sashimi (sushi without the rice)
    5- Drink water
    6- Tell EVERYONE that you are watching your cals intake and eating less...
    7- Drink water
    8- Go to the bathroom (Hey you must get rid of that water...)
    9- Talk, enjoy, talk, enjoy, talk, enjoy !
    10- Have a fruit salad for desert, they're good and always present at buffets...
    11- Ok stop drinking water now !

    ^ I like this ... and the ONE PLATE RULE

    except I usually don't tell everybody i am watching my cals.

    I usually only get one plate full. But I get 2 half plates. I do this for two reasons: 1) it forces me to eat slower eating a half plate at the same speed everyboy else is eating their overfull plates, and 2) i can go the the buffet again with everybody else.

    I also Plan Ahead and take a picture of my plate.

    For planning ahead, there are often lower calorie choices that I love every much as the higher calorie ones. If I plan ahead I won't be surprised. But i also won't stop getting that delicious high calorie item i want... Since I know and planned ahead... I will just get a 1/2 portion instead.

    I also take a couple of pictures of my plate so I can remember what and how much of what I ate. I always log and count everything.

    .... These are my tips. And I eagerly want to see what other folks are doing as well, because even with my best intentions I still find it difficult to eat at my calorie goal at good buffet.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    fast
    lift
    eat everything

    (not Chinese though, don't like it)
  • knra_grl
    knra_grl Posts: 1,566 Member
    I feel your pain - I love chinese food - I would enjoy the buffet and eat in moderation - try and be aware of your serving sizes so you can sample a bit of all the things you like :smile:

    Then make sure you drink lots of water and stay on track for the next couple days. It is okay to enjoy the things we like.
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,995 Member
    Extra cardio beforehand so you can enjoy the celebration guilt free..

    More sushi, less Chinese. Don't have deep fried stuff including stir fries where the meat is deep fried before being incorporated in the stir fry. This category includes General Tso Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken and Lemon Chicken.

    At dinner, keep asking yourself, "Am I really enjoying this?". If so carry on eating. Don't eat just because food is plentiful.
  • 970Mikaela1
    970Mikaela1 Posts: 2,013 Member
    [slight thread hijack]

    I enjoy Chinese food but haven't been to a buffet in some time. Is it really as common as this thread makes it sound to have sushi at a Chinese buffet?

    [/slight thread hijack]

    the ones here do.
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    Normally I just go all out, eat whatever I want, drink lots of water, and get back on it the next day.

    If you don't want to do that though, you could stick to a "1 plate rule" :)
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
    Eat before you go. Have a decent amount of protein and fiber before you go. They say it takes 20 minutes for your stomach to send the signal to your brain that you ate and aren't hungry...by the time you get there, you won't be as hungry and can hopefully have a reasonable amount of just that stuff that you really really like.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    Just came to say this is my all-time favorite title of a MFP post
  • Chezzie84
    Chezzie84 Posts: 873 Member
    Since I nor.ally don't go out often, when I do I enjoy myself
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    If you start seeing imaginary fish judging your actions, it's time to stop.

    Until that point, om nom nom.
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    I get a big plate for my 1st serving and smaller plates for my subsequent servings. As far as chinese food, sushi is probably your best bet. I ate 24 pieces on Tuesday. It's kinda high on the carb side, and not a huge amount of protein; but lower on cals than a lot of other options, and that much sushi made me feel like I had definitely had enough.
  • littleburgy
    littleburgy Posts: 570 Member
    [slight thread hijack]

    Is it really as common as this thread makes it sound to have sushi at a Chinese buffet?

    [/slight thread hijack]

    I wish it was. Never was in my experience. I love sushi but find Chinese buffet food to be disgusting.
  • molonlabe762
    molonlabe762 Posts: 411 Member
    I give myself a cheat day every week or 2. Use this as yours, just dont go super crazy and make sure u stay under your calories the rest of the week. Works good for me.
  • angrose247
    angrose247 Posts: 2 Member
    I say stick to simple things like broccoli and chicken and maybe not rice... not anything fried if you can. If you do add exercise...
  • Kenazwa
    Kenazwa Posts: 278 Member
    Go around and look at all the possibilities before you make any choices, then load up on vegetables as much as you can. Our local Chinese buffet has green beans that are to die for; I fill half my plate with them.
  • Fit2Strip
    Fit2Strip Posts: 280 Member
    EAT EVERYTHING!!! Your body can't absorb it all if there's too much to process! Just do a few laps around the buffet for every plate.
    1 plate rules for buffet are ridiculous. A buffet is to be ravaged!
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Devour everything and get back on track the next day. No way I'd go to a buffet and just eat one grain of rice.
  • tedrickp
    tedrickp Posts: 1,229 Member
    I have never had good sushi at Chinese buffet for the record.

    Last time I went to a buffet was my first time in a year, and I went IN. LOL I rarely hit buffets (two all of last year). I usually just "have at 'er".

    ...Then hit the gym the next day and try to hit some PRs :D
  • sillyvalentine
    sillyvalentine Posts: 460 Member
    Have some self control. Period.
  • rabblerabble
    rabblerabble Posts: 471 Member
    When others insist on a buffet, I always start off with a huge salad on my first plate (watching the dressing) which helps fill me up and then after a second plate, I'm generally satisfied. Perhaps will have fresh fruit for a dessert.
  • CorlissaEats
    CorlissaEats Posts: 493 Member
    I always start with the veggies and the sauteed foods or any item lower in calories. If I am still hungry after one full plate, then I get to eat the deep fried and less "diet friendly" items if I want. I like veggies though, so I try to keep my plate half veggies. So basically: beef with broccoli - dont just fish out the meat and sauce, eat the broccoli too.

    Honestly, set your limit before you go but make sure its high enough to be enjoyable. One night out isnt going to hurt you in the long run, and if it is then you have a much bigger problem than the buffet line. I think its been years since I could eat more than 2 plates at a buffet so the 20 pieces of sushi binge doesn't apply to me. I dont eat to be stuffed anymore. Leaves me feeling bad for hours afterwards...
  • subsonicbassist
    subsonicbassist Posts: 117 Member
    I have never had good sushi at Chinese buffet for the record.

    Last time I went to a buffet was my first time in a year, and I went IN. LOL I rarely hit buffets (two all of last year). I usually just "have at 'er".

    ...Then hit the gym the next day and try to hit some PRs :D
    Heck yeah, take it as a refeed day and get dat glucose up!!!
  • quraesmom
    quraesmom Posts: 5 Member
    1- Drink water
    2- Eat a bit before leaving for the buffet
    3- Drink water
    4- ONE plate rule at the buffet and go for the sashimi (sushi without the rice)
    5- Drink water
    6- Tell EVERYONE that you are watching your cals intake and eating less...
    7- Drink water
    8- Go to the bathroom (Hey you must get rid of that water...)
    9- Talk, enjoy, talk, enjoy, talk, enjoy !
    10- Have a fruit salad for desert, they're good and always present at buffets...
    11- Ok stop drinking water now !

    I love this !!! I can use this a lot! My family also likes to eat out for special occasions! Looks like water is Key lol
  • emmullins55
    emmullins55 Posts: 21
    I concur.............there is a sense of "needing," to eat this buffet.
  • Beet_Girl
    Beet_Girl Posts: 102
    Well, I am not sure what Chinese buffets are like. For typical buffets, I start with a healthy salad and drink water or a diet drink. And then I eat whatever I want of foods I don't get to have very often. I focus on enjoying the food and stay away from sugary drinks, which I could theoretically have anytime (unless there is a specialty drink for this place-then go for it!)

    I figure if I have the salad and water, I got at least some nutritional needs fulfilled, and when I am stuffed afterwards, I will have actually probably have eaten less since the water and salad are taking up space. Plus it takes time to eat the salad, i.e. less time to stuff your face.

    So if I were you, I would relax enjoy myself and eat as much as I wanted it, but reduce the damage with water and veggies :)
  • whovian67
    whovian67 Posts: 608 Member
    they all have a salad and soup area first..... try one or two pieces only of everything you try (satiation by trying everything - you don't need 1/2 a plate to taste) . fried rice is just a filler so try and avoid it. I try for things that are not covered in a sauce (sauces are usually loaded with sodium and sugar)

    Think to yourself, that sushi is served a bit too warm and is not chilled on ice (like the health inspectors here identified)
    Think of a bunch of snot nosed kids getting their own food at the buffet, especially the ice cream bar and that will turn you off for life. I take my 18 y.o. to chinese buffet about 3 x a year, that's it.

    Chinese people do not really cover everything in sweet and sour and bold and spicy sauces. Fresh stir fry , fresh make your own soup bowl are an option . Load it with 770-80% veggies first then add the meat, chicken, shrimp or tofu.

    Enjoy the party! :) (It's only one meal --go for it and make amends with yourself later)
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Further to my reply, a couple of things I might do is
    1) Intermittent Fasting in morning (16/8)
    2) IF the next day (16/8)
    3) Lift heavy before the meal
    4) Bust my *kitten* in the gym the next day.

    But I still would attempt to cram as much food as is physically possible into my digestive tract.
  • whovian67
    whovian67 Posts: 608 Member
    The sushi is too warm......avoid it.
  • firesweetheart
    firesweetheart Posts: 92 Member
    1- Drink water
    2- Eat a bit before leaving for the buffet
    3- Drink water
    4- ONE plate rule at the buffet and go for the sashimi (sushi without the rice)
    5- Drink water
    6- Tell EVERYONE that you are watching your cals intake and eating less...
    7- Drink water
    8- Go to the bathroom (Hey you must get rid of that water...)
    9- Talk, enjoy, talk, enjoy, talk, enjoy !
    10- Have a fruit salad for desert, they're good and always present at buffets...
    11- Ok stop drinking water now !

    ^^THIS.

    Also, it's a birthday dinner right? So, wander around, talk to your family, pull up a chair next to someone else (away from your plate for a minute), and just enjoy the environment. Do this a few times and you'll be surprised at how much you enjoyed the meal and at how you don't feel horrible and overstuffed at the end of the night!

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