Chinese buffets

starsonlyone
starsonlyone Posts: 25 Member
edited November 16 in Health and Weight Loss
A friend of mine wants me to check out a chinese buffet. before I started calorie counting I would gorge myself on it. Obviously I cannot take a set of measuring cups with me. IT will be increadibly difficult for me to count calories. I thought about telling her its to early for me to subject myself to that kind of temptaiton. I even thought about doing directly off a menu but they tend to me expensive. What are everyone elses experience and dealing with calorie counting and Buffets. Should I just avoid it all together

Replies

  • PeachyPlum
    PeachyPlum Posts: 1,243 Member
    starsonlyone wrote: »
    A friend of mine wants me to check out a chinese buffet. before I started calorie counting I would gorge myself on it. Obviously I cannot take a set of measuring cups with me. IT will be increadibly difficult for me to count calories. I thought about telling her its to early for me to subject myself to that kind of temptaiton. I even thought about doing directly off a menu but they tend to me expensive. What are everyone elses experience and dealing with calorie counting and Buffets. Should I just avoid it all together

    This right here. There is no reason you can't tell your friend you'd prefer a different type of restaurant.

    I'd save myself the aggravation and stress, especially this early in the game. Once you get a better handle on your eating habits, you'll be more prepared to handle a buffet with ease.
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    PeachyPlum wrote: »
    starsonlyone wrote: »
    A friend of mine wants me to check out a chinese buffet. before I started calorie counting I would gorge myself on it. Obviously I cannot take a set of measuring cups with me. IT will be increadibly difficult for me to count calories. I thought about telling her its to early for me to subject myself to that kind of temptaiton. I even thought about doing directly off a menu but they tend to me expensive. What are everyone elses experience and dealing with calorie counting and Buffets. Should I just avoid it all together

    This right here. There is no reason you can't tell your friend you'd prefer a different type of restaurant.

    I'd save myself the aggravation and stress, especially this early in the game. Once you get a better handle on your eating habits, you'll be more prepared to handle a buffet with ease.
    Exactly this.
  • mmonaghan99
    mmonaghan99 Posts: 45 Member
    I agree with the other posters, do not do anything that you think will be too tempting for you. Also, you can totally take measuring cups with you. I haven't taken cups before, but I take measuring spoons to restaurants to measure things like salad dressing. I could see that it might feel a little awkward for you to do that though (I just don't really care if people find it strange, lol).
  • Camo_xxx
    Camo_xxx Posts: 1,082 Member
    My rule of thumb at any restaurant is enjoy the meal, eat until sastidfied and log 1500 calories.
  • slideaway1
    slideaway1 Posts: 1,006 Member
    I don't eat all day when I go to a Chinese Buffet, maybe do some exercise to create a bit of a deficit (if it was pre planned that I was going) and destroy about 3000 cals. The sodium will make it seem worse on the scale for the next few days, but just drink loads of water and no harm done. Enjoy.
  • MindySaysWhaaat
    MindySaysWhaaat Posts: 401 Member
    I can't allow myself buffets because I know I'm going to just give up and binge on all of the foods. If you explain it to your friend, hopefully they'll understand.

    If you ever find yourself in a situation where you HAVE to eat at a buffet, I would suggest loading up on the salad bar FIRST. Get a plate of salad and a plate of fruit, and start with that. Then just try to make the best choices for your second plate of regular food. You don't 'have' to eat more than that if you don't want.
  • SconnieCat
    SconnieCat Posts: 770 Member
    PeachyPlum wrote: »
    starsonlyone wrote: »
    A friend of mine wants me to check out a chinese buffet. before I started calorie counting I would gorge myself on it. Obviously I cannot take a set of measuring cups with me. IT will be increadibly difficult for me to count calories. I thought about telling her its to early for me to subject myself to that kind of temptaiton. I even thought about doing directly off a menu but they tend to me expensive. What are everyone elses experience and dealing with calorie counting and Buffets. Should I just avoid it all together

    This right here. There is no reason you can't tell your friend you'd prefer a different type of restaurant.

    I'd save myself the aggravation and stress, especially this early in the game. Once you get a better handle on your eating habits, you'll be more prepared to handle a buffet with ease.

    This is great advice!

    And if your friend is dead set on going, see if the buffet offers nutritional information online so you know what options you have available and can even potentially pre-log.

    If the items aren't available online, try to select items that are steamed and grilled. Some of the buffets I've been to also offer icons on the nameplates for items that are gluten free, vegetarian, healthy, spicy, etc. Granted, the "healthy" items shouldn't be a free-for-all, but if you end up going...that might be something to look for.

    Another option is to take a look over the buffet when you get there to see what is available and also check out the menu. It might be worth it to spend a couple extra bucks off of the menu to have something you feel comfortable eating.

    And finally... my best advice? If you go to the buffet, enjoy yourself. Don't feel bad if you select a couple items that might be higher in calories. Enjoy the time with your friend, don't obsess too much over the food, and understand that if you eat over your daily recommendation, there is always tomorrow.

    Have a good time, OP!
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Unless you feel comfortable dont go. there are varuois strageies you cna use, but I get the feeling youd find it a bit stressful. I cnat imagine you wnat to watch someone else gorge themselves so give it a miss.
  • Samenamenewlook
    Samenamenewlook Posts: 296 Member
    PeachyPlum wrote: »
    starsonlyone wrote: »
    A friend of mine wants me to check out a chinese buffet. before I started calorie counting I would gorge myself on it. Obviously I cannot take a set of measuring cups with me. IT will be increadibly difficult for me to count calories. I thought about telling her its to early for me to subject myself to that kind of temptaiton. I even thought about doing directly off a menu but they tend to me expensive. What are everyone elses experience and dealing with calorie counting and Buffets. Should I just avoid it all together

    This right here. There is no reason you can't tell your friend you'd prefer a different type of restaurant.

    I'd save myself the aggravation and stress, especially this early in the game. Once you get a better handle on your eating habits, you'll be more prepared to handle a buffet with ease.

    ^^This! Recognizing the habits you need to change now will take you far. If you're not ready, don't go! You can revisit later once you have gotten into your routine and can make the best choices. If you do decide to go, just do the best you can and get right back on track after you leave. You definitely don't have to let one meal ruin it all!
  • Cave_Goose
    Cave_Goose Posts: 156 Member
    When I started losing weight, the first restaurants to go were Chinese Buffets. High in calories. High in transfats. High in MSG. And after gorging myself on chinese food, I'm hungry just a few hours later. Just not worth it.

    Thai food on the other hand....soooo much tastier and healthier.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Personally, I would go to some other mutually acceptable place.
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