Why Buffets Are So Hard!

Oh, the dreaded or highly anticipated BUFFET. So many nutrition options. So many nutrition downfalls. Notice I said 'nutrition' and not 'diet'. I'm trying to eliminate the word 'diet' from my vocabulary because it is a negative word, means 'die it' to me.

I was at a weekend retreat where the food was provided. I knew this in advance, so I packed a few snacks, JUST IN CASE. Not big ones, just a couple of bags of red grapes, a small protein bar, a small protein powder that I had been wanting to try. Just in case.

The easiest part of the buffet is the availability and variety of foods. The hardest part of the buffet is the availability and variety of foods. You start to fill your plate and you are only halfway through the line and options. By the end of the line, your plate is full and IF you took time out to count calories or even nutritional breakdown of the food you are about to consume, most people would be shocked. Then there's the salad buffet, the drink buffet and of course, not to be overlooked, the dessert buffet. Neverending food, neverending calories, just neverending.

Good news - you will most likely not leave hungry. Bad news - is it the right kind of food you need? If you are in 'weight loss' mode and are trying to eat healthy, a buffet can be the start of a decline and can put you in a bad place, physically and emotionally. Physically because you overeat OR don't eat in the right portions and it does affect your metabolism and yes women, it does affect your hormones. Emotionally because you feel like you've failed once again at sticking to a 'diet'. Also physically because you are bloated.

So what can you do? Here's some tips -

• First, don't worry what others are eating. Eat for yourself. Eat only what you know is what your body needs.

• Read the menu of options or look over the buffet before starting to fill your plate. Know what would be a good source of protein, what would be a good source of carbs and what would be a good source of fat. And then start to fill your plate with those things.

• Avoid - anything fried, anything swimming in butter, white breads, butter, colas, sweets.

• Take 1/2 portion than you think you need, trust me on this one. By the time you are at the end of the buffet, you will already have a full plate because the food is THERE and you want to TRY a little bit of some stuff, so take 1/2. The spoons on buffets are typically too BIG anyway, take 1/2.

• Fill 1/4 to 1/2 of your plate with salad and top with veggies. If there is a salad bar, there are veggies. Use olive oil and vinegar or a vineagrette dressing.

• Don't worry about what others are saying about what you are eating. When did it become OK for people to CRITICIZE someone who is trying to eat healthy? Would it be okay for a fit person to CRITICIZE someone who is eating unhealthy? Um, no, that would be mean. Huge double standard here. Just BE STRONG and if someone just has to comment, know that it is THEIR issue, not YOURS.

• When you are done, push the plate aside and that's it, you're done. No going back for seconds or thirds. ENJOY the conversation of those around you. ENJOY the good food that you just choose for yourself and enjoyed by yourself.

• Can you ever have a sweet? Sure, once in a while, but not every time. If you do, again, take 1/2 of what you think you need.

Leave the table feeling nourished, but not overfed. Count how many times the people around you loosen their belts, say "I shouldn't have eaten that", say "I feel bloated" and continue onto the next buffet. Then forget about it. It's not all about the food. It's about YOU making healthy choices. Is eating healthy at a buffet going to kill you?? NO, but is eating healthy at a buffet going to save your life. I say YES. And it can be done. So do it.