Scoggins
From Nema Wiki
A Dieters Guide To Buffet Eating
Buffets can be the bane of the dieter's existence. So many foods, so little nutritional information; it's no wonder many dieters avoid buffets altogether.
But sometimes you simply can't turn down an invitation. In case your family and friends wish to get you to a buffet, don't panic! Just eat smart, and don't forget these helpful do's and don'ts for buffet dining:
Will have a healthy snack before you leave home.
Buffets are made to cause you to eat and you eating. The colours, smells, and sheer variety of dishes attracts the human appetite. Don't make it worse by showing up starved.
Grab a little snack before you leave home. Choose something with a little protein and fat to fulfill your hunger, like a piece of cheese or a yogurt cup.
Whenever you lay eyes around the massive buffet, you'll be glad you ate a little something to take the edge off of your hunger.
Do start out with a serving of salad and fruit.
Before you dive in to the meat and pasta dishes, pile your plate with green vegetables, fresh fruit, and low-fat cottage type cheese.
The fiber in the vegetables and fruit will satiate in a low-calorie cost. Cottage cheese and boiled shrimp are protein-packed low-calorie salad toppers.
If you are using dressing, place it inside a cup or bowl on the side instead of drizzling everything over your salad. Choose a flavor with reduced calories if your are available, or make use of a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Get plenty of lean protein.
For the protein, choose simple lean meats like grilled or roasted chicken, or lean cuts of steak. If you are in a breakfast buffet, look for low-fat alternatives like turkey bacon and turkey sausage.
Avoid dishes produced from ground beef, like meatballs or meatloaf. They could contain lots of hidden fat and calories. Likewise with fried chicken or smothered steaks. Breading and sauces can also add lots of calories to an entree.
Get a mug of soup to satiate.
A warm cup of soup might help fill you up faster. Choose a broth-based soup which has plenty of vegetables. At a Chinese buffet, hot and sour soup is a good choice because it contains vegetables and protein-rich tofu, and its bold flavor quickly satisfies your cravings.
Do exercise discretion in the potato bar.
An average-sized baked potato contains about 80 calories. Large baked potatoes like those available at buffets could easily contain two or three times that amount.
Still, potatoes aren't bad in and of themselves, and their skins contain important fiber and nutrients. If you eat one, choose healthy toppings like fat-free sour cream, chives, and salsa.
Avoid piling your potato sky-high with cheese, chili, and bacon. Those toppings are usually full of fat and calories.
Don't stock up on foods that are fried and creamy sauces.
Talking about calorie-dense foods: Deep fried anything is bad news in a buffet. Chinese and southern-style buffets are notorious for his or her many fried offerings. A good thing you can do is pretend they don't exist.
While you are at it, turn a blind eye to heavy cream-based sauces, or any dish drenched in butter or cheese. There are plenty of tasty, healthier alternatives to choose from.
Don't go crazy at the dessert bar.
If you made healthy choices throughout your buffet meal, don't undo your great work by gorging on desserts. It's certainly tempting; there are so many to select from! But it is possible to have a yummy treat without going overboard on calories.
Many buffets offer low-fat frozen yogurt and chocolate syrup. Then add nuts or sprinkles, and you've got a surprisingly virtuous dessert. (Just pay attention to your portion size!)
If you see a sweet dish you just can't live without, serve your really small portion of it, or share some having a friend.
Don't keep eating simply to get your money's worth.
Buffets can be pricey, which causes some people to eat past the reason for satiety to get their money's worth.
Just accept that proven fact that you might be paying a bit more than usual, but the price doesn't obligate you to overeat. If you have a thrilling time in the buffet, you'll have gotten your money's worth.
