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Chow down: Getting your fill at all-you-can-eat buffets

Posted Jan 03 2008, 04:16 PM by Karen Datko
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You've probably heard about the two big guys in Houma, La., who were charged extra at an all-you-can-eat buffet -- the waitress supposedly said, "Ya'll fat, and ya'll eat too much" -- and claimed they were banned from the place as well. Well, those guys couldn't hold a candle to Nick at Punny Money. We thank Clever Dude for directing us to Nick's side-splitting, belt-busting post, "Eat your money's worth at any all-you-can-eat buffet." Clever Dude also provides a link to getting the most from a side salad when Pizza Hut limits you to one bowl.

Buffets are great for people on a budget. But, Nick observes, "one major problem has plagued buffet-eaters throughout the ages: a few plates later and you can't eat any more." This problem will go belly up if you follow Nick's pre-meal, mealtime and post-meal tips. Forget about starving yourself earlier in the day. If you do that, "you'll usually find that your stomach can't handle the shock of going from 'help, need food' to '12 pounds of beef' just like that," Nick advises. Eat carbs to stimulate your appetite, don't forget to "clear the runway," and "break out the fat pants."

At the restaurant, eat meat, meat and more meat, and sip some water between trips to the buffet. On your fourth visit, you may now try other things. Then take a break, read a book, and rest up for the next go-round. Among the post-meal tips: Stay up for several hours before bedtime and drink water. "You know how your body is normally 70% water?" Nick writes. "After a buffet, it probably drops to about 12% water for a bit. Drink a glass or two of water to refill your body's liquid levels. It'll aid digestion too."

Comments

 

Some buffets are good if you choose the right items and dont over indulge. Asian Japanese buffets seem to be pretty good. You have your vegetables and such.Just avoid all the high fried stuff and too much dessert. In my opinion the best buffets were always in Nevada. They just happened to up the price , it sucks!!!!

You can eat healthy at a buffet if it's mainly a vegetarian buffet.  I enjoy Souper Salad in Augusta, Ga.  Salads and fruits mainly.  Some seafood.  Just watch yourself with the soup (heavy sodium), pasta and breads (fat and full of sodium.)  Where else can you get that vast spread of veggies and fruits to pick from?

If you have an issue with food, then a buffet is probably not the best choice. It's my decision what I eat and it's not always the best one. I certainly won't go on preaching about eating vege ( I was one for 9 years) because we don't all have to agree about someone else's eating choices and be arrogant about it! I love buffets, but, I think it can invite people to overeat.

I actualy eat more salads at buffets than i do at home, because i dont have to cut up the lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, etc..its already done .I am guilty of eating shrimp. broiled, fried, coconut coated..etc.. dont know why !!

I reside in the Kingdom of Buffets - Las Vegas.   We are constantly bombarded with two- for- one offers that expire if not used within a designated time frame.  Most casinos offer buffets, however, some better than others re: variety and quality of the food presented.  You can overindulge, as most of us do,  but when you consider the seasonings, i.e., salt and fats utilized in the preparation of the food presented, it's no wonder we are all doomed to life dependent on our local pharmacies for medications to get us from one buffet to the next.  I, frankly, allow the two-for-one coupons to expire because I have no self-control.  I restrict myself to one buffet a month and promise myself (the morning after), to restrict my dessert selection to just one sugar-free piece of pie and not the four or five dessert temptations that somehow make it to my dessert plate during my next visit!!  Life is difficult.

the idea behind buffets is the fact you can find something to please everyone, thus finding more customers--and  people who are huge eaters.

My husband loves food and overeats; I'm not a big eater.  Buffets don't work for us on either count.  Much of the food is fried or canned - not a good combination health-wise.  We both gained weight when we ate out a lot although I always tried to be virtuous and eat only the healthy stuff.  Now we seldom eat fast food and only go to restaurants as a special treat.  We save money and calories.  The soup/salad buffets seem to be a good alternative to the usual all-you-can-eat buffets though.  

I find buffets are less ex[ensive with a larger variety.  It's all self control.

I buy the buffet to go and put as much as I can into the container (mainly the meats).

Once home I am able to serve my whole family and 3 or 4 of us eat for the price of 1 buffet and I can always supplement by making veggies at home to add to it.  I am able to put much more in the container than I myself could eat at one sitting and I don't get the bad over-filled feeling either!

*Another hint- go before the 'lunch' price is over, so you don't pay the higher dinner rate.

You get the same size container and just bring home refrigerate it and heat it up for dinner!

I think Buffets are great. I like the ideal of being able too "pick & choose" . I always hit the salad bar first before I have the main foods..and always enjoy the fruits after my dinner. People can eat good at buffets if they choose too,there is always a choice of healthy foods and I like that. I wish there were more around my town!!

Rose

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