We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Strategy for buffets?

sassareno
sassareno Posts: 59 Member
edited October 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Does anybody have suggestions for how to "conquer" a lunch buffet without going TOO crazy? I mean, I want to indulge a little bit, but I don't want to go crazy. I also have a lot of trouble estimating calorie intake for buffets. Any thoughts and suggestions would be very much appreciated!

Replies

  • Mmmary212
    Mmmary212 Posts: 410 Member
    That's too much work...if I'm going to a buffet, I usually dont eat anything but that the entire day so I can let loose and enjoy. Then keep going as normal the next day.
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    If you know what's going to be on the buffet, just plan ahead.
  • SundayRiver2u
    SundayRiver2u Posts: 21 Member
    Hi - I was going to ask the same question today and figured I'd check to see if it had been posted. I encounter buffet settings nearly every week since much of my job is traveling to a location as part of a larger group of people. Five of my meals from Tuesday lunch through Thursday dinner were buffets. Ugh.

    My strategy is to take a spoonful of whatever I want. I mean ONE spoonful. And then load up on the salads (minimal dressing) and one forkful of dessert. If it's a weird buffet and I don't happen to like a lot, then I will take a more normal serving of one or two things and try to create a one-plate meal out of it.

    As for estimating calories, it's such a crap shoot, right? Honestly, I just guess. If I have taken a bunch of tiny portions, I figure 100 calories per spoonful for a total of 500-600 calories that I log as "quick calories". I know it is probably less than that but I'd rather be high on my estimates. If I've created more of a meal plate, then I try to estimate closer - 1-3 oz of chicken or meat, potatoes, salad, etc. But if I just don't have that kind of time or can't remember, I do the 500-600 calorie rule.

    I hope this helps and you had a great time at your lunch!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories