Hi everyone!

I’ve been hanging around these boards and doing my best to calorie count for a few weeks now. So far its been going quite well but I’ve just came up with my first real problem. A friend is having a birthday meal this weekend at a Chinese buffet and I’m a bit worried.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on the best things to eat and how to work out how many calories I’ve actually eaten?

Any advice is much appreciated.

xx

There are one or two things you could do:

* If it were me, I would try to find out what is going to be on the menu, or guess, and then check to see what the calorie counts are for everything. (You can do this online, at the website for the restautant --if they have one--, or at sites like calorie king, the daily plate, or fit day.)

With that list, pick those things that will fit into your calorie budget, and stick to them.

* Eat before you go, so you won't eat much there. Try to just nibble on the veggies or fruit.

* Stay away from the rice and noodles!!! Too many calories in that stuff. Or if you can't, stick with having plain, steamed rice -- but only a small about -- like the size of your fist. That would be roughly a cup, which is one serving size.


These are things I've done, and they work. I'm not saying it's easy to sit there and eat healthy while everyone else is gorging themselves on whatever they desire, but at the end of the day you will pat yourself on the back for staying on plan. It feels good to stick to your guns in the face of so much temptation! (I know from lots of experience!)

Since it is a buffet, I'd try to set a limit before you go. Tell yourself you are only going to have ONE plate. Actually, because most people around you will be going back for seconds and thirds, maybe it would be best to limit yourself to TWO half full plates.

Whenever I have any meal, I try to fill my plate 3/4 with veggies... that could be a good idea. Maybe steamed broccoli?

Also, if you are like me, the SMELLS of Chinese food are just super tempting. Instead of trying to resist everything and then giving up and eating a ton, maybe take one or two pieces of your favorite fried entree to satisfy your taste buds.

Thanks for the replies. I'll try to follow your advice. Fingers crossed.

think veggies, fruits, whole grains (brown rice) and lean meats when plating up and you'll do fine.

One tactic I use for buffets is to take very small portions (just a tablespoon or two) and leave plate space around each one. No piling. It will help you eat slower and since you have to physically get up and go back for more, you can think about it and decide if you are really hungry or not. Even higher calorie foods can't do TOO much damage if the portions are really small. Sometimes a bite or two satisfies anyway.

I also advocate eating something (on plan) before you go. It sounds counter-intuitive to eat before you eat ... but going starving to a buffet is a recipe for a binge.

Good luck!!

Hit up the salad and fruit bar first. Fresh, raw veggies and fruit should be the first thing you eat to help curb your hunger (careful on the fruit).

Afterwards, if you are still wanting more, try to stick with the steamed veggies and leaner meat dishes. Most chinese dishes are smothered with some sort of sauce so try to avoid the rich dishes even if chicken is the main ingredient.

I always do the same thing when going to a buffet, Chinese or otherwise. I get a large plate of salad with low fat or very little full fat dressing. Then I fill another plate with the other stuff and those are the only two plates I eat.