OH, NO, the dreaded buffet!

Bet you thought you couldn't eat at a buffet anymore after weight loss surgery. 

Afraid someone will see you there?

No fear! With a few tips of preparation, you'll have a clear conscience.

You can still enjoy the buffet, but come away with a happy tummy, a guilt-free conscience and a friendly hello to your neighbor.  

Now, think about it.  The advantage is you can control your portions and get more variety than ordering off the menu. So with just a little know how, you can manage just fine...I believe in you.

Here's are the tips:

Decide what you really want. Narrow it down to the healthy choices or just a taste of something you don't get often, just remember the size of 3 oz of protein looks like a deck of cards.

Next, veggies...yum.

Then, choose a carbohydrate, remember your measurements.

Fill up on the healthy stuff and you won't have room for the dessert.

I give myself a good self-talk before going to a buffet. I determine to keep within my guidelines. Only one trip to the bar.  I tell myself, the desserts are tempting and pretty, but most of the time, they really aren't that good.  If you must, just get a taste, or have someone else get it and have them "own" it...I would never eat more than a taste of someone else's! 

I don't visit the buffet often, and only when I feel I'm strong enough in my resolve to eat correctly. Attitude is everything! Don't wait until you're in the heat of the moment to make the resolve, do it ahead of time when the decision is practical and not emotional.

I focus on being thankful that my favorite buffet has really good turkey...really tender, I love it.  It is served in gravy, but it's really thin gravy and not thick and floury, and I get several choices of veggies that I wouldn't necessarily cook at home.  

I don't even think about the desserts...I try to think about how great I feel in the clothes I'm wearing or perhaps how much better I'll feel when I'm at the pool. I remember how exciting it was to get a good cholesterol report. I remember my choices, I am "choosing" not to eat it, not that I can't have it.

I sometimes eat lunch with friends at a local healthy food store with a buffet. Health food stores have good buffets because there are healthier choices and most don't have rich desserts. Our local stores have greens that are fantastic, and lots of grilled veggies choices.  For protein it's usually shrimp (or I order grilled chicken from the grill) and fruit fills the bill for the sweets.  One health food grocery buffet has tofu turkey, it's really good! 

Oh, and about the neighbor, let that encounter work in your favor, keeping you on the straight and narrow. 

Be strong...yes you can...you have many more miles to go!