I’m on a diet - I am eating at an all you can eat Chinese buffet tonight!

[InferiorDesign]

I’m going on a planned night out with a large crowd of friends tonight and this was the democratic choice.

Normally I would indulge like crazy, but I’m two months into a healthy eating plan and don’t want to do too much damage.

What are your top tips (other than don’t eat everything you silly woman) and recommended choices.

apparently it’s a really nice restaurant with lots of lovely fresh food.

Im thinking going veggie and avoiding anything in batter is a good start.

I would avoid dessert and alcohol and eat anything and everything else I wanted.

Honestly? A diet isn’t worth anything if you can’t indulge once in a while without thinking how to
limit yourself. Do you think eating without thinking for one night is going to undo everything? Is your healthy eating plan by a dietitian or is it something you’ve arranged yourself?

I would go for lots of chicken, prawns if available with lots of veg a, small amount of rice or noodles. Enjoy without going overboard on portion size (hard I know when it's all you can eat!).

Focus on enjoying foods you wouldn't usually eat at home - don't bother with things like rice, sauces, puddings, etc. Take a 'don't go mad' approach rather than a severely restrictive approach.

I would try and only eat what I truly think is worth eating. Forget about getting your money's worth. If you think it's not worth the calories don't eat. If its something you love and it looks delicious have it. Get a small amount first and enjoy the company of others.

If you go veggie you will just be eating loads of carbs.

I would go for all the meats then some vegetables

@InferiorDesign

just enjoy yourself, life really is too short. Maybe stop short of needing to be rolled out.

the important thing is to get back on the plan tomorrow.

Soup, plain rice and dry dishes, like crispy duck. No fried stuff

It’s just something I’m doing myself - I’m avoiding bread, alcohol and have ditching my mega crisps and biscuits habit, but that’s about it.

I'd go easy on the rice but most definitely wouldn't go veggie for the night. And I wouldn't attempt to calorie-count.

I'd try not to have too much rice or fried things like spring rolls and prawn crackers, but eat everything else. For pudding, have fresh fruit if it looks nice. Have a jug of water and one large glass of dry white wine.

I would worry about amounts rather than what it is. As a pp said, if it is delicious, have it! Just don't have 4 servings.

Put your fork down between mouthfuls, drink plenty of water, enjoy being with your mates.

I would limit myself to one plate but would have all the things I like the look of and enjoy it!!

I'm not a germaphobe but buffets is where I draw the line. I'd order something separate that was mostly protein and veg, and avoid carbs where possible. I prefer to drink my carbs than eat them, so I'd definitely have a couple of glasses of wine, and focus on enjoying time with friends (and ignoring the breathed-on dessert sections). 😷

I’d probably got for meat and vegetable based dishes avoiding anything deep fried.

I would eat whatever looked nice but don’t take a “get your moneys worth” approach. There is a temptation to eat more as it is all you can eat but you end up eating more than you would normally.

Rephrase it as an 'eat what you want buffet' and not an 'all you can eat buffet'.

Put a tiny bit of consideration into not binging on carbs and fried stuff but make sure you enjoy yourself without guilt.

You are allowed treats, ie enjoyable things that you do occasionally.

I'd avoid the battered stuff like sweet and sour and crispy chilli beef and the prawn crackers/toast but there will be loads of delicious options like Broccoli and/or mushrooms in oyster or black bean sauce, roast pork cooked till tender, shredded duck/chicken.

I would enjoy it then start afresh tomorrow. It won't undo 2 months hard work.

I went to an all you can eat when on a diet and still lost weight that week. Avoided lots of rice, noodles, crackers and got absolutely LOADS of meat and still had pudding.

I would have anything I wanted and enjoy it, just for one night. It's important not to feel deprived in the long term, and if you've been sticking to your diet for the last 2 months you've done really well, and it's definitely time for a cheat day!

I'm sure when you initially went on the healthy eating plan that you intended to improve your diet day-to-day, lose some weight, and feel better. I'm sure you didn't intend to never ever indulge in an occasional meal out with friends and family. The occasional big meal out is part of a healthy lifestyle.

You also won't feel anywhere near as fat and awful as you think you'll feel the next day either (unless you drink too much alcohol). If it's just a one off, you probably won't look or feel any different the next day (leave off weighing yourself for a few days though)

Lastly if you've been dieting for 2 months your stomach will have shrunk so you won't be able to eat nearly as much as you used to anyway. Plus you might find your tastes have changed and you naturally go for more of the lean meat/seafood/vegetable dishes.

This is a very long and overinvested post because I would just love to go to an all you can eat Chinese right now!! 😄 have a lovely time whatever you decide to have.

I'd go for lots and lots of meat with some tasty veg sides. Avoid anything carby or battered or deep fried. Tbh that's the approach I take at any kind of all you can eat whether or not I'm watching my weight - why fill up with noodles or rice when you could get chilli prawns or shredded duck or beef strips in black bean sauce etc??

Concentrate on the seafood, chicken and veg and have just a bit of anything carby, crispy or in sweet and sour sauce that you like the look of.

Don't eat until you are stuffed. Eat slowly and spend time chatting instead of eating.

Don't bother with the puddings they're generally not very nice.

Thank you so much, a lovely post

This, 100%.

Ive been on a diet nearly 2 yrs now (lost 7 and a half st!) and if Im having a take away, which happens 2-3 times a year or going out then I just eat what I want and enjoy myself.
The important thing is to get back to healthy eating the next day and not feel any guilt about it.