Sitting At a Buffet: How to Ensure You're Not Staring at Temptation

Guest post by Dan Seitz


Buffets are the enemy of any diet. Full of fatty foods, and sometimes with only a few healthy or low-
calorie options, you can find yourself undoing months of work in one night. But it doesn't have to be
that way, not with the help of science.


A study conducted by two Cornell economists found some behaviors that show why you bust your
belly at the buffet table...and how to avoid it.


− Don't sit in front of the buffet: put your back to it or sit with it at your side. When it faces
you, it's easier to see what's available...and easier to tell yourself one (or one more) serving of
beef stroganoff won't hurt.
− Use a smaller plate; larger plates will look empty when you properly serve yourself,
convincing you that just maybe you haven't had enough food.
− Before serving yourself, look over the entire buffet and see what's available, instead of
going for the first option you see. Not only will this help you plan your meal, it'll also allow
your stomach to get caught up with your hunger, so you'll know how much is hunger and how
much is just an interest in how that alfredo sauce tastes.
− Put a napkin on your lap. It may sound odd, but it'll keep you from automatically getting up
and going back to the buffet; you'll have time to think about what you want and whether you
really need a second serving.
− Chew your food thoroughly. As any dieter knows, a big part of the problem is that you can
serve yourself faster than your stomach can tell you you've had enough. Chewing slowly and
thoroughly will make sure it's got time to gauge how much you've had.


Beyond that, there are strategies you can use to avoid the buffet in the first place:


− If you're with family or friends and they suggest a buffet restaurant, see if you can talk them
into going to a sit-down restaurant with more options...and less temptation.
− If it's a sit-down restaurant with a buffet, order from the menu instead of getting the buffet.
That way, everyone's happy and you won't be faced with unhealthy choices.
− If it's a social occasion where a buffet is the only option, use the strategies above and focus on
the socializing. After all, you're there to talk with people: the food is just a courtesy.
− For potlucks and other buffet-like situations, bring a big batch of your favorite healthy
option. Not only will it ensure there's something for you to eat, the rest of the group will be
grateful for a little variety.


Buffets are a part of life, but there's no reason you can't go to one. All it takes is a little control...and
being mindful of where you sit.


Dan Seitz is a freelance writer who has posted previously about self-improvement through lifestyle changes, as well as making sure your home is kept up via techniques such as gutter cleaning.

Thank You All!!

I want to truly thank you all for your kind and helpful comments last week. JR and I have been working through this and we are making progress, but it is taking time. We have been talking out our issues and life feels so much better than it did a week ago. Thank you all so much!

 So, what does my normal schedule look like you may ask....

   Monday 

 7:50 Get Joclyn on bus 

 9- Spinning class 

 10:40-11:15 Aqua baby with Bella 

 11:30-2:30 At my moms helping her & my grandmother 

 3:10 Get Joclyn off bus 

 3-5 Make sure Joclyn gets homework done & house work 

5-6 Make dinner 

 6-7 Eat dinner and relax a bit 

 7-8 Kids bath time 

 8 Kids in bed 

 8-10 Get stuff ready for next day 

     Tuesday

 7:50 Get Joclyn on bus 

 8-11 Get stuff done around the house. Get on the computer a bit. 

 11-2:30 At my moms helping her and my grandmother 

 3:10 Get Joclyn off bus 

 3-4 Make sure Joclyn gets homework done & house work  

 4:15-5:30 Lap swim 

 6-7 Eat dinner and relax a bit 

 7-8 Kids bath time 

 8 Kids in bed 

 8-10 Get stuff ready for next day 

     Wednesday

 7:50 Get Joclyn on bus 

 9- Spinning class 

 10- Run 

 11:30-2:30 At my moms helping her and my grandmother 

 3:10 Get Joclyn off bus 

 3-5 Make sure Joclyn gets homework done & house work 

5-6 Make dinner 

 6-7 Eat dinner and relax a bit 

 7-8 Kids bath time 

 8 Kids in bed 

 8-10 Get stuff ready for next day 

     Thursday 

 7:50 Get Joclyn on bus

 8-11 Get stuff done around the house. Get on the computer a bit. 

 11-2:30 At my moms helping her and my grandmother 

 3:10 Get Joclyn off bus 

 3-4 Make sure Joclyn gets homework done & house work  

 4:15-5:30 Lap swim 6-7 Eat dinner and relax a bit 

 7-8 Kids bath time 

 8 Kids in bed 

 8-10 Get stuff ready for next day 

     Friday

 7:50 Get Joclyn on bus 

 9- Spinning class 

 10- Run 

 10:40-11:15 Aqua baby with Bella 

 11:30-2:30 At my moms helping her & my grandmother 

 3:10 Get Joclyn off bus

 3-5 Make sure Joclyn gets homework done & house work  

 5-6 Make dinner 

 6-7 Eat dinner and relax a bit

 7-8 Kids bath time

 8 Kids in bed 

 8-10 Get stuff ready for next day 

 Saturday -Family time  

 Sunday -Family Time

Softball is also thrown in 2 times a week as well. I Mom is doing really well, although we had to go back down to Pittsburgh last week because her incision was not healing right. She had old scar tissue from her previous surgery that was not getting enough blood to it and was not healing, so the doctor debreid it and put in 4 stitches.

Life has been crazy, but all in all things have gotten a lot better! I hope you all are having a wonderful week!

.........

I would love to tell you all that I am so happy right now(I am down almost 3 pounds this week), but I am not.... My husband and I had a huge fight last week and it is still trickling into this week. I cried my heart out last week and yes he is still the unemotional man from the first time we met. I have been through an emotional roller coaster the last few days. My stomach has been in knots since this all started and it hurts so bad, emotionally and physically. 

We have been together for over 8 years now and married almost for 2 of those years. I don't know how this all started, but I am scared to death that we won't get through this. I honestly don't know what to do to help mend this.....