Cafeteria 911! Survive Buffet-Style Eating

1. Posted by joni on Tue, Sep 25, 2007, 6:15 am PDT

Everyone should check out the links provided in this. There is great info in it!

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2. Posted by acvgirl on Thu, Sep 27, 2007, 10:12 am PDT

FYI - all fat stored vitamins like D and E need some fat to get into your system. A totally fat free salad means you won't be getting some of the vitamins. Variety and Moderation is the key - a little cheese or low fat dressing is OK!

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3. Posted by verukasworld on Sun, Sep 30, 2007, 7:46 am PDT

If one were naturally thin, this diet would ensure they were no longer obtaining the vitamins and nutrients needed to lead an active healthy life. Skinny on the couch is no better than fat on the couch. Fat is not the enemy. Laziness and excess are.

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4. Posted by armygyrl4lyfe on Sun, Sep 30, 2007, 8:07 am PDT

Although this article contains some EXCELLENT information, I must agree that it is a bit too restrictive. If people wanted to eat everything perfectly healthy then they would eat at home rather than eating out. Eating out should be a time of enjoyment and not so much focused on making sure that everything is perfectly healthy. I teach my clients things such as splitting desserts and entrees or using the plate method when eating out. Not exactly foolproof, but it helps to stop them (my clients) from being so obsessive about food and they are more likely to then (on their own) increase their activity after the meal or be extra careful with the other things that they eat.

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5. Posted by goldee492002 on Sun, Sep 30, 2007, 9:21 am PDT

I agree with armygyrl4lyfe, I think moderation is the key to the longevity of any program whether it be alcohol, food, etc. I am convinced that lot a of water (at least 4 - 16 oz bottles) in your daily regime will help conquer all your goals, and improve your over all health, along with some form of low impact excercise program. I'm sure most people would be amazed of the results if they could just give themselves a reasonable amount of time to accomplish their goals. I personally have lost a fair amount of weight in the last year and six months(40 lbs) by following a healthier food intake, low impact sports such as riding a bike and walking. I sure we have all read and listened to all the professionals out there and we are all still struggling day by day. It is up to you as an individual to take up own fight, just do the best you can, some of you might lose your first battle and some will find success, but don't ever give up. I wish everyone good luck on their endeavors, if you need support, contact me and I will give you what ever I can to assist you on the road to a healthier, thinner and happier you. Still in the battle.

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6. Posted by DaLToN DiGGLeR on Sun, Sep 30, 2007, 11:58 am PDT

i eat everything

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7. Posted by DaLToN DiGGLeR on Sun, Sep 30, 2007, 11:59 am PDT

lol

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8. Posted by NIKKI on Tue, Oct 02, 2007, 1:45 pm PDT

this site was VERY helpful. I like to eat out sometimes and I don't like all the oily or high in calorie foods. or too much NE way. Hahaaa..... Makes me feel hungry.

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9. Posted by cole on Tue, Oct 02, 2007, 1:57 pm PDT

go with the mac n cheese...you only live once!!!!!

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10. Posted by on Tue, Oct 02, 2007, 2:05 pm PDT

lighten up and enjoy yourself! life is too short!!!moderation is the key to everything in our lives. Bon Appetit!!!!

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11. Posted by Wendy on Wed, Oct 03, 2007, 11:51 am PDT

fat free dressings are often LOADED with sugar/carbs to make up for the no-fat!! go for a vinegar based dressing and keep it light!

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12. Posted by penneysc on Wed, Oct 03, 2007, 2:11 pm PDT

These are great tips. I started my knew eating and work out program 6 months ago. DId you notice I didn't say Diet. I've been on every diet under the sun. No More. New strategy. So far 32 lbs and lots of inches. LOTS to go but I'll get there this time. Always helpful to get little tips.

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13. Posted by rucabadfish on Wed, Oct 03, 2007, 10:27 pm PDT

Eat what you burn, burn what you eat! love your life, Play Rugby. I like fried chicken!!!

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14. Posted by demian on Wed, Oct 03, 2007, 10:59 pm PDT

Man, I don't want to know how many calories are in the the food - I just want to know if it's safe to eat... is the meatloaf really last week's chicken pot pie ground up? Is it sanitary?

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15. Posted by BobbiMc on Thu, Oct 04, 2007, 7:08 am PDT

Great job to all you (weight) losers. Over the past 10 years I've changed my eating dramatically, and too off 89 lbs.I still have a lot to go.The first of this past Sept I had a sever gallbladder infection.So bad that surgery was not possible because the poision was already leaking from it.I was in the hospital for 3 days on IV antibiotics and very strong antibiotics when I got home.Surgery will take place on Nov 1st.But in this time I have more than realized the importance of cutting the fat (not all) out of your daily diet.I never ever want to experience pain like that again so I watch everything I eat. My best to all how keep trying...never give up.

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16. Posted by blueyedlady-4425@sbcglobal.net on Thu, Oct 04, 2007, 8:14 pm PDT

i need to loose really bad, i'm now trying the salad bar and fish or chicken and thats it. watch portions also, wish me luck !!

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17. Posted by ktregna on Sat, Oct 06, 2007, 11:37 am PDT

I think that most of this advice is not very nutritionally sound. First off, I agree with the comment that we all need a little fat. If you stick with the healthy fats (i.e. non-hydrogenated) like fats found in almonds or olive oil, you are going to have a better, well-balanced meal. The techniques of approaching a salad bar listed above actually have too much sugar. If you do not metabolize all the sugar- guess what it turns into (in your body)- FAT!!!! I can only imagine that the diet above would leave one hungry- and unsatisfied. We should be encouraging people to eat healthy- and in moderation. Not how to lead up on artificial sweeteners in order to “fit in” with stick-thin ideals.

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18. Posted by Pally 4-eva on Mon, Oct 08, 2007, 2:20 pm PDT

this is lame. everything she writes is common sense. Eat oatmeal instead of sausage for breakfast", well duh....

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19. Posted by jezziebelle86 on Tue, Oct 09, 2007, 4:59 am PDT

There's a disclaimer in HG's profile -- and rightfully so: this article is definitely NOT coming from a nutritionist. She has some good ideas but some go way overboard.

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20. Posted by BobbiMc on Wed, Oct 10, 2007, 5:33 am PDT

I just talk about what I have found is best for me and has made a difference in my health.I would never advise anyone because I'm not a nutritionist. Ever heard of Smart Balance? Smart Balance is a brand of balances oils to help lower bad chol and raise the good.It comes in a variety of spreads (the original tastes just like butter..really), oil in a bottle, mayo and peanut butter.There is oatmeal and pop corn.I sure there are other items I haven't come across yet. I use the original spread,the oatmeal (maple & brown sugar), and the pop corn.I don't use mayo and don't touch peanuts of any kind.Sept '06 my chol was in at 213.So I tried a little harder, made a few more changes.In April '07 my chol came back at 169! I went back to the doc and asked him to re-do the fat panel in case there was a mix up at the lab (could happen). The 2nd panel came back at 167. Some big changes but they work.The thing is to start small.You can't expect to make hugh life changing changes and your body and mind not react..want to rebel, because they will.I make the Smart Balance pop corn dump it hot from the bag into a big plastic bowl and load it with salt free spices.Mrs Dash has a whole line of no salt spices that will knock your socks off.When I finish spicing I put the cover on the bowl and let it sit for 15 mins or so. WOW! When I bake my chicken breasts I leave the skin on,cover with seasoning and bake.When it's finished and cools enough to handle I pull off all the skin and any fat and the rib bones.The meat is seasoned right through and out of this world.And I'll have that with a sweet potato baked in the skin with roasted zucchini,yellow squash,egg plant and red and yellow onion quarters.Hope I made you hungry..lol Have a blessed day, all.

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21. Posted by jujey_12 on Wed, Oct 10, 2007, 3:44 pm PDT

HG isn't saying don't eat well when you go out, just don't go nuts.

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22. Posted by Shawn B on Sat, Oct 13, 2007, 9:53 am PDT

I like biscuts and gravy

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23. Posted by Ellen P on Mon, Oct 15, 2007, 10:33 am PDT

I love the buffet style eating you have your choice and can go back as many times as you want unfortunately there too many left!!!!I wish they wuld open more of them they have everything else!! Ellen(:

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24. Posted by laura_loo95 on Mon, Oct 15, 2007, 12:30 pm PDT

This isn't about eating OUT, it's about eating in cafeterias, where people who live in dorms have to eat for every meal... I live in dorms, and I find this pretty helpful, though it is common sense for me. Then again, I happen to know a lot about nutrition. I think it's pretty good advice. She never said to eat NO fat. I think what she was getting at is that salads are no longer healthy if you pile on cheese, ranch dressing, croutons, and fried chicken. Some people think salad = healthy, but that is just not necessarily so. She recommends having a serving of chicken with your salad. Also, she suggested using vinegar as a dressing, which is actually really tasty. You don't even need the water and sweetener like she suggested.

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25. Posted by Hans K on Mon, Oct 15, 2007, 1:29 pm PDT

My wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer and since the medical world could not help her anymore, we tried the natural way. I am a cook but had to learn now to cook without all the food which we normaly eat and use in cooking. Just to mention a few, I could not use sugar, starches, vinegar, oils, regular salt, sweeteners, and any prepared or manufactured food. If you look at the labels on packages and look up the ingredients, 99 % of them have sugar or starches which can be hidden in many different ways. There are 15 ways to hide the sugar in a prepared food. My wife could not have any fruit because of the natural sugars, many vegetables also carry some sugar, especially carrots. Potatoes or Pasta was out because of to much starch. Try to make a gravy without flour or a salad without vinegar and oil and sugar. I learned a lot about food during this time and can now prepare meals without all the common ingredients. Is it healthy ? Definitly not. Our bodies need a little bit of everything to stay healthy. The pronounciation is on " little bit ". My wife had cancer but she actually died from starvation because her body did not get the nourishment her body needed. One organ after another shut down and therefore, the body didn't get the vitamins and minerals it needed to sustain her health. So everybody out there, watch what you eat and do not go into any excess of any kind. Even to much sleep is not healthy.

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26. Posted by hottie260637 on Wed, Oct 17, 2007, 1:29 pm PDT

OK----THIS IS VERY INFORMATIVE FOR THE PERSON THAT HAS A VERY RESTRICTED & CRAZY DIET! I'M ALL FOR HEALTHY THINGS GOING IN---MEANS A HEALTHY BODY AND HEALTHIER LIFE......BUT LADY PLEASE! IF ANYBODY DEPRIVE THEMSELVES THE WAY YOU MENTIONED [MEANING AVOIDING CREAMY MAC AND CHEESE, TUNA ETC.] THEN THEY SHOULDN'T EVEN EAT OUT OR FIGHT THE TEMPTATION OF EVEN LOOKING AT OR GOING TO BUFFETS. HAPPY EATING TO ALL OF MY REAL PEOPLE. AND F.Y.I I'M NOT A FAT ASS EITHER, I JUST BELIEVE THAT EATING GOOD STUFF [WITH MODERATION OF COURSE] SHOULD BE OK.

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27. Posted by MRE on Wed, Oct 17, 2007, 1:45 pm PDT

Simple math, put out more then you take in and you don't need to skip anything. Moderation, is key to anything. Sorry about your wife Hans.

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28. Posted by been_gd on Wed, Oct 17, 2007, 2:41 pm PDT

What I find interesting is that none of these experts giving advice talk about eating low sodium. I was put on a lo-so diet several years ago and never knew how much sodium was in the foods I ate. I have had to learn to ignore prepared foods, canned foods, soups, sauces, and gravies, and have been much happier and healthier. As an added bonus, I have lost close to 40 lbs. without dieting or feeling hungry. Foods advertised as "low fat" are not the way to go, since those foods are supplemented with sodium as a flavor enhancer. If you look for low SODIUM foods, many of them are also naturally low in fat. And so what if they aren't also low in fat? You body NEEDS some fat to maintain your health and keep your skin and hair soft. And what does this have to do with cafeteria or buffet eating? Everything. Don't eat the cooked veggies, they probably are loaded with fat and came from a can. Don't eat the mashed potatoes, they are likely to be powdered, also loaded in salt. Avoid the lasagna and the casseroles. Eat as fresh as you can. Eat all the cooked and broiled meat you want. Don't be afraid to ask the manager or cook which foods are lo-so, and pile them on. Ask about the fish first. If you don't believe what I have said about low sodium, ask your doctor, and then ask him why more experts are not recommending lo-so. It's in the marketing. It's too expensive for many companies to go lo-so because salt is a preservative and their packaged foods wouldn't last as long on the shelf. Many people are not told about low sodium until they have health problems, like with their hearts. Don't wait until you have a heart issue. You'll find that you feel better and the weight will drop off without any more effort on your part. The dr. told me to stay within the 1000-1500 mg. range on sodium, and as long as I do that I have had no problems.

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29. Posted by Lady Kay on Wed, Oct 17, 2007, 2:54 pm PDT

I too, believe in moderation & lots of Salad Greens, plus leave room for a desert (Healthy one of course)! :-

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30. Posted by waterspirit89 on Wed, Oct 17, 2007, 3:09 pm PDT

I really think this is a good idea, especially for people who are really trying to watch what they eat. Over the last four years I've been under continuous doctors watch and have to swtich my diet many times, and because of that I'm really careful about what I eat. I agree with the fruits and vegetables and whatnot. unfortunaltly I've come to Hawaii for school, and got major culture shock regarding their food. their food is so high fat that if I eat just a little bit of it, I'm sick for hours. It's really unfortunate, and I'm totally craving my dads grilled chicken (from Texas!) I haven't had solid meat dish in a little of three months....

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