EATING OUT

At a Buffet

A buffet can be a very testing time, especially if there is a large choice of very scrumptious food!

The type of food available can vary a lot depending on the tastes, background and budget of the provider. I have been to some where almost everything is pastry based, for example sausage rolls, quiche etc. with the other choices being sandwiches and fried crumbed food, such as chicken goujons and scotch eggs.

On the other hand of course, there are buffets which have a lot more choice of less calorific foods to choose from.

• Firstly, drink a large glass of water before you go and make sure you have had your morning or afternoon snack, whichever precedes the buffet. Doing both of these will take the edge off your appetite.

• Offer to drive so you won't be tempted to drink wine, which often flows on these occasions. This is because a) it's highly calorific b) once you have had a glass or two, a bit of "devil may care" creeps in and bang goes your weight loss diet!

• Don't forget fruit juices and drinks like Coca-Cola also have a lot of sugar in them. If they don't have any diet drinks then its best just to stick to water. Boring, I know. There is no rule that says you have to toast someone's health with an alcoholic drink. So there is no excuse there either! Remember, it's not "now or never". Once you have reached your target weight you will be able to have those other drinks again.

• It is helpful, if there is a choice of plates, to use a small one. You are then naturally restricted to the amount of food you can put on it and psychologically, it helps seeing a full plate rather than a half empty one!

• It also helps to eat as far away from the buffet table as possible, so try and get involved with people who are standing well away and make sure you have your back to all that tempting food. Continually being able to feast your eyes on it will only lower your resistance to go back for more.

• If you are with someone you know well, it's tempting to have a taste of something from their plate that you haven't got. It may well be that you start off just wanting a taste (especially if it's a dessert that you have been strong enough not to have) but once the flavour is in your mouth, and if it is particularly "scrummy", it might just be too difficult to resist going and getting some yourself.

So just to recap briefly …..

1) Drink a large glass of water before going out.
2) Make sure you have the mid-morning or afternoon snack.
3) Offer to drive -- no alcohol.
4) Be last to get your food.
5) Use a small plate.
6) Eat slowly.
7) Eat as far away from the buffet as possible.
8) Have your back to the food.
9) Do not taste other people's food.
10) ENJOY IT