How to eat at the Buffet

ChristinaaH84
ChristinaaH84 Posts: 27 Member
in Food and Nutrition
My family loves to go to the buffet. Its cheaper and it gives everyone what they want and noone fights over where to go. But it sucks for me when I look at all the fried and unhealthy foods. This is where my willpower comes into play and i stick to the fish vegetables and sashimi. If i eat a sushi roll i do not eat the rice usually. I stray away from carbs and if there is no zero calorie drink option then i drink water with lemon. No diet soda!!!

Replies

  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,266 Member
    I enjoy going to buffets.

    I don't do them very often so I don't stress about them too much.

    I just eat sensible portion sizes and then usually allow myself an indulgent dessert at the end.

    And I just guestimate the calories.
  • kenyonhaff
    kenyonhaff Posts: 1,377 Member
    When I go to a buffet I love the sushi too. But yeah buffets are minefields. Other tactics:

    If you know buffet is planned, if at all possible schedule a big workout. A buffet meal may be no big deal if you hiked for hours or did yardwork all morning.

    Go for the expensive food. Seriously. The cheap stuff is fried and fatty. But the salmon or crab legs and shashimi....pricey and healthier. Get your money's worth!

    One plate. No 2nd worth of entrees. Pick one dessert.

    Bring chewing gum in mint. Have some when you are done. It really does give a sense of all done.
  • amtyrell
    amtyrell Posts: 1,447 Member
    A cup of hot tea. No really it gives you something to sip and keep hands busy
  • debtay123
    debtay123 Posts: 1,327 Member
    I usually walk though or around the whole bar first- then go back and get my tray and decide on foods- this way I can have a few goodies if i want buy i already know the veggies and fruits to pile on my plate
  • leanitup123
    leanitup123 Posts: 489 Member
    Only time I ever go to the buffet is when I'm on a cruise. I only ever get fresh vegetables, salad and fresh shellfish or lean meats. Never really get anything from the hot bar... just not worth it to me.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    I haven't even seen a buffet in ages...don't think we do those in NYC
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    I'd be sad without rice.
    Carbs aren't a problem. It's total calorie consumption. Just eat in moderation.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    cmtigger wrote: »
    I'd be sad without rice.
    Carbs aren't a problem. It's total calorie consumption. Just eat in moderation.

    Not everyone is sad without rice. I'd rather have none than a small portion.
  • leanitup123
    leanitup123 Posts: 489 Member
    IMO all-you-can-eat buffets are terribly gluttonous. Between the amount consumed and the amount wasted...
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    cmtigger wrote: »
    I'd be sad without rice.
    Carbs aren't a problem. It's total calorie consumption. Just eat in moderation.

    Not everyone is sad without rice. I'd rather have none than a small portion.

    But I would be.

    I was referring to the OP and removing the small amount of rice from her sushi.
  • Strawblackcat
    Strawblackcat Posts: 944 Member
    I normally just get something to drink and eat something else when I get home. I've come to the conclusion that, for me, buffet foods is almost never tasty enough to justify the calories that it has.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    cmtigger wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    cmtigger wrote: »
    I'd be sad without rice.
    Carbs aren't a problem. It's total calorie consumption. Just eat in moderation.

    Not everyone is sad without rice. I'd rather have none than a small portion.

    But I would be.

    I was referring to the OP and removing the small amount of rice from her sushi.

    Exactly. And that was a choice she made. You TOLD her "just eat in moderation". Maybe she doesn't want to?
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    Dnarules wrote: »
    Before teaching, I was a food microbiologist. Buffets make me nervous :).

    Ahh. Do tell.
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    cmtigger wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    cmtigger wrote: »
    I'd be sad without rice.
    Carbs aren't a problem. It's total calorie consumption. Just eat in moderation.

    Not everyone is sad without rice. I'd rather have none than a small portion.

    But I would be.

    I was referring to the OP and removing the small amount of rice from her sushi.

    Exactly. And that was a choice she made. You TOLD her "just eat in moderation". Maybe she doesn't want to?

    She asked for help. And phrased it in a way that she thinks that carbs are bad. I have to eat low protein for medical reasons. I've lost weight just fine.

    Let's let the OP answer. If she doesn't want to gain weight she can't eat all she wants no matter what it is.
  • Fitblkorchid
    Fitblkorchid Posts: 32 Member
    I admire your courage to do to buffet.. I know I wouldn't be able to contain myself so I just avoid it...
  • leanitup123
    leanitup123 Posts: 489 Member
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Dnarules wrote: »
    Before teaching, I was a food microbiologist. Buffets make me nervous :).

    Ahh. Do tell.

    Went to a buffet once. Kid ate off the serving spoon. :):):)
  • dfwesq
    dfwesq Posts: 592 Member
    leanitup123 wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Dnarules wrote: »
    Before teaching, I was a food microbiologist. Buffets make me nervous :).

    Ahh. Do tell.

    Went to a buffet once. Kid ate off the serving spoon. :):):)
    If you go, try to arrive early, when the food is first set out and before other customers have a chance to pull any shenanigans. :)
  • H_Ock12
    H_Ock12 Posts: 1,152 Member
    edited July 2017
    Hubby doesn't like buffets, so we don't go at home. But my family often does when I visit them....I take the opportunity to eat all the foods, including desserts, that I don't eat on a regular basis.
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    I would stay away.
  • atjays
    atjays Posts: 797 Member
    edited July 2017
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    It's a shame that you classify food as 'healthy' or 'unhealthy' as you'd probably enjoy the buffet more if you saw it all as fuel, ate what you enjoyed in moderation and maybe did a bit more exercise to make room for the yummuness!

    This is great advice. There's nothing wrong with wanting to low carb, it has its advantages, but food is food. Yes some provides more nutrients than others but there's nothing wrong with indulgence in moderation if you go out to the buffet. On the rare case I go to a buffet I try to do two things. A) Only ONE plate of food. B ) Try to get a reasonable split between good high protein sources and some carb heavy fried foods. And lastly, ENJOY yourself. There's nothing you're going to do at a buffet that you can't work off in the gym or with a couple days at a calorie deficit.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Not a big buffet fan. I lived in a dorm all through college and ate from a buffet three times a day. I can remember family coming to visit once and looking forward to a meal off campus and then hiding my disappointment when it was a buffet restaurant meal. :lol:

    Anyhow, I'd hit the salad bar and load up and then look for baked chicken or a turkey carving station. I'm eating more carbs these days but chances are the choices will be highly caloric (macaroni and cheese, etc.) so I'd avoid most. I would eat a pickled egg if they had one because I like those.
  • ChristinaaH84
    ChristinaaH84 Posts: 27 Member
    atjays wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    It's a shame that you classify food as 'healthy' or 'unhealthy' as you'd probably enjoy the buffet more if you saw it all as fuel, ate what you enjoyed in moderation and maybe did a bit more exercise to make room for the yummuness!

    This is great advice. There's nothing wrong with wanting to low carb, it has its advantages, but food is food. Yes some provides more nutrients than others but there's nothing wrong with indulgence in moderation if you go out to the buffet. On the rare case I go to a buffet I try to do two things. A) Only ONE plate of food. B ) Try to get a reasonable split between good high protein sources and some carb heavy fried foods. And lastly, ENJOY yourself. There's nothing you're going to do at a buffet that you can't work off in the gym or with a couple days at a calorie deficit.

    S
    atjays wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    It's a shame that you classify food as 'healthy' or 'unhealthy' as you'd probably enjoy the buffet more if you saw it all as fuel, ate what you enjoyed in moderation and maybe did a bit more exercise to make room for the yummuness!

    This is great advice. There's nothing wrong with wanting to low carb, it has its advantages, but food is food. Yes some provides more nutrients than others but there's nothing wrong with indulgence in moderation if you go out to the buffet. On the rare case I go to a buffet I try to do two things. A) Only ONE plate of food. B ) Try to get a reasonable split between good high protein sources and some carb heavy fried foods. And lastly, ENJOY yourself. There's nothing you're going to do at a buffet that you can't work off in the gym or with a couple days at a calorie deficit.
    I've been doing great this way. Carbs are my enemy because I work mostly at a desk full time and then school when i get out of work I usually dont exercise. I spend that extra time wirh my son. We might so something outdoors if its nice out. But i have lost 31 lbs. Maybe one day I will go to the buffet and eat whatever i want and just hit the gym. It will be a nice change. So good advice. Something to think about.

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