How do you calorie count a buffet?  We went to a chinese buffet and I kept my portions small, but I don’t know how to count it in my daily calorie count.  Suggestions anyone?

That is a tough one since you can’t know with 100% certainty the exact calorie count of the food BUT there are some great “out to eat guides” that you can get that lists popular eatery’s calorie counts.  A general rule to a buffet should be common sense, don’t eat what you know is bad for you, keep portions small, and don’t make several trips up there.

There are some buffet tricks that can help you stay on track with your diet and still enjoy the evening out.

Scout out the buffet before you put anything on your plate.  I’m sure you can tell what the better food choices will be.  The seamed veggies, compared to the breaded fried stuff, and the lighter sauces instead of the sticky sweet ones.  Plan what you will eat, just as if you were choosing from a menu.  You don’t have to eat everything just because it’s there.  Remember, Stop, Think, Think again, then choose. 

Use a small plate.  That will help you keep the portions under control.  Remember that your stomach is just about the size of your fist. 

Do not go back for a second trip through the buffet.  If you think you might get hungry later, just plan on having a healthy snack. 

Don’t worry about eating your money’s worth.  Buffets are relatively expensive if you eat normal portions.  I rarely go to buffets because it’s just not worth the price for the amount I eat. 

As far as the exact calorie count, I’m sure it’s going to be fairly high, and the Chinese food tends to be loaded with sodium.  As long as you can make the best choices, and limit the portions, you will be fine though.  Just drink lots of water to flush out all the excess sodium.

Hey Kim, I’ve had this same dilemma, and I’ve done a ton of internet searches, and looking through calorie books to try to nail down a number. Here’s what I’ve found, (you’re probably not going to like it) for every plate, just count it as 1000 calories. It’s the best I can come up with, and this is the number I write in. Of course, my local Chinese buffet has only 1 veggie option, and it is steamed, but then coated with something I know isn’t healthy. And the 1000 calorie count will cover you, unless you heap your plate.

Remember that calories average over a 3 day period, so eat better on the other 2, and you’ll be fine. Hope this helps.

Bree

The problem with chinese food is that most of it looks pretty oily.  Made it easy to keep the portions small. 

I will admit to more than one trip (3 to be exact), but they were always partial plates.  My plates looked downright anorexic compared to my boyfriend’s!  It’s my trick for making me feel like I am eating more.    Spread the food around and it looks like there is more there than there actually is. 

I did falter a little more than I would like on the sweet treats (small cream puff, a couple of 1 X 1 X1/2 mini Bailey’s cakes, and the inevitable fortune cookie), but I would like to think I did better than usual.  At least I didn’t feel stuffed to the gills and sick to my stomache this time!

MMMhHHH Mini Bailey’s cakes now that sounds good to me.  Where is this Chinese place located at, I will run there to burn tons of calories to make lots of room for that one.  Sounds like you kept your portion sizes in good check since you say you were’nt stuffed to the gills.  Eat good over the next few days and do some workouts and you will be good to go.  Portion size has always been a hard one for me on buffets, so I take really small portions.  That and don’t eat too many diferent things or I end up a sick tummy.  Sounds like a good time all in all.  I really like Bree’s idea on counting calories for that one. 

Scooby

Wow, I was going to jump in and offer some advice, and my fellow mods beat me to the punch!  Paula, those are some great tips.  Bree, I like your way of counting—simple and easy to remember (if somewhat terrifying when you actually need to write it down).

Kim, I’m glad you made it through all right.  Just remember that it’s okay to splurge occasionally if you’re more “gooder” than “badder” most of the time.  So the Chinese buffet is all right once in a while, but don’t make it a weekly occurrence and you’ll probably be okay.

Cheers,
Julie

You’re right, Bree, I don’t like it. That number seems excessive for the amount I was eating.  Each choice was only a “sampling” (the sort of thing you would see in one of those little paper cups) and was limited to only maybe four items per plate.  I don’t doubt that I came pretty close to 1000 for the entire meal, but I’m not willing to tag 1000 to each plate.  I will keep that in mind for future reference though.

Happily, the chinese buffet is not an option we exercise regularly (maybe once every couple of months or so), so I am not too worried about that.  This week I’ve been coming up well short on my calories, so whatever the real amount, I’m sure it evened out.  If anything, it makes me feel better about my low calorie counts.

I’m not sure if the little cakes are “Bailey’s” or not, Scooby, but that’s what they remind me of when I get them.  I’ve only seen them at this particular little restaurant.  It’s a little hole-in-the-wall type place of the regularly beaten track here in Indianapolis.  Not a huge selection, but better then some of the bigger restaurants I’ve been too.  Those little cakes aren’t terribly filling, but they sure are good!