Chinese Buffet help...

Chicken and broccoli or beef and broccoli!! Both of those are pretty low cal and high in protein (and yummy)

I would stick to the dishes that are more like stir fry - meat and veggies in thinner sauces, nothing too gloopy or fried.

The chinese buffet near me actually has a hibachi bar where you can load up your plate with raw veggies and meat, and someone cooks it on the griddle for you fresh. Maybe that's an option?

Chicken on a stick is probably a safe play. Probably hight in sodium though. Actually its all gonna be high in sodium. Beef and Broccoli could also be a safer play. Try to stay away from the chickens with any kind of breading.
The Chinese buffet is my FAVORITE, but I have not faced it since I started my diet. I can not resist pigging out.

Stick to the meat and veggies, and skimp on the carb-filled rice/noodles. Avoid the deep-fried battered meats too in place of the unbattered ones.

Avoid the full-cal soft drinks/alcoholic beverages, and make sure you drink enough water! Chinese food is incredibly salty!

Most of all, enjoy it - unless you go every other day, one big meal isn't going to kill you. It might upset your stomach though, if it isn't used to such greasy food!

Lots of veggies, lean meats, and most of the soups are low cal as well. Avoid fried items. Everything will be high in sodium, that's pretty unavoidable at those kinds of places.

Teriaki should be fine. Mixed vegetables too are usually there along with jello. I'm not sure about the noodles because I think they are fried. I'd go for steamed rice.They may also have some steamed fish. Chicken and broccoli is also good too. Stick to water or unsweetened tea and you should be fine

I would pass up on the rice.

You know, one time I went to a buffet and I gained a lot of my weight back, about 50lbs

this is a common occurrence.
splurging once will certainly negate all hard work prior.


general tso's FTW!!!

Nothing fried, and avoid as much sauce as possible. Try to eat any steamed meat of vegetables that are available. My favorite is the sauteed green beans, steamed veggies and pepper chicken. They are not great, but IMO just about the best you can get with Chinese buffet

Maybe try going to a Mongolian barbecues instead. Similar flavors....but you control what's in the dish, and can stock up on the veggies.

i dont know what to tell you..all i know is its all loaded with sodium, and thats what hurts me..i know its your dad, but eat for you, not for him (i honestly dont want that to sound mean or rude)..good luck

A big bow of wonton soup! The wontons aren't terrible calorie wise and the broth will fill you up!
And watch the sauces on things....thats where those d*mn calories hide...
But above all just enjoy the time with your dad and don't worry too much, just make good choices for your next meal.

the noodles are not that great, and the sweet and sour chicken isnt great as well either since it is deep fried. I would suggest things from the seafood area (lots of times they have baked salmon or crab legs) and if they have steamed veges or a mongolian section where they cook the food right there, you will know what goes in it. then, they always have a huge salad and fresh fruit section, so to fill up on those things will be much better. If you do any sushi rolls, be careful because each one can add up...

Beware of rice, noodles and anything fried and that looks...shiny, since its mostly stir fried with lots of oil.

On another note, stating that your father thinks "eating = happy" doesnt have to apply to you as well. You can eat...just eat better things...and eat SLOWLY and drink as much water in between bites. It wont be so bad...and STAND UP FOR YOURSELF. If he or anyone else makes a comment about what you're eating...tell them that you are eating some healthier choices for you. Dont use the D word. Family can be brutal when it comes to food...but they wont respect you unless you stand up for yourself and show that to them!

I would peruse the MFP site to look up Sweet & Sour Pork, Lemon Chicken, etc for a real eye opener of what you are in for. Even harmless looking veggies are usually glistening with oil and calories. Everything is a salt bomb. Go in knowing and plan to have a nice meal with your dad. You can try lots of bites of different things but it doesn't mean you have to eat 3 plates just because it is a buffet. Pay attention to the taste and if anything isn't extraordinary then don't finish it. Concentrate on celebrating time with your dad, and not the food itself. Portion control will probably be your best option for anything you find there.

Once when I first started MFP I went to a CB and had (what I thought was a moderate portion) a plate and a half of my usual picks. There was actually a calorie entry for "Chinese Buffet" and I was shocked at how many calories I likely ate. More recently, my enlightened self went back to a different CB. Knowing what I know now, I spent most of my time filling plates with healthier options. I started with a big salad and peel and eat shrimp- high protein, plus they take a while to eat, which kept me away from some of the calorie bombs. I also like sushi and they had some approximations of that. Again, flavorful and relatively harmless, I avoided the tempura and cream cheese stuffed choices. At the very end, 3 plates later!, I had a tiny portion of just 3 of my favorite Chinese offerings, something like 2 Tbsp lo mein, two small pieces of Generals chicken, and a piece each of beef and broccoli. I was so full by that time I could barely finish it and felt like a master of the diet buffet. I ate along with my tablemates, made 3 satisfying trips, and the calorie count ended up far below my first trip. You will make better choices if you aren't starving, so get some healthy salad and low cal/ high fiber-protein in first. Then you will be ok. Best to go in with a plan, good job from the start!