10 Tips To Get The Most Value Out Of Your Buffet Meal

There's nothing quite like the feeling of excitement you get when you're at an all-you-can-eat buffet. What makes it even better is knowing you got the best value out of your meal without suffering from the consequences of overeating. We've got some tips that may be helpful to you for your next buffet indulgence.

Read on to find out what you should do before, during and after a buffet meal!

#1 Don't skip your meals before the buffet

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Although it might make sense to eat less before a buffet to make space for more food, skipping meals will cause your stomach to shrink! At the buffet, you'll start to feel uncomfortable after eating just a moderate amount of food.

#2 Prep your stomach with the right foods

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Prepare your stomach with a light meal and try to include food that will stretch out your stomach but are also easy to digest like soup, fruits and yogurt. When it's time for the buffet, your previous meal would have digested, making way for more food!

Drink plenty of water to further aid digestion and avoid sugary food and drinks.

#3 Go for a number 2

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3 hours before the buffet, avoid snacking and try to clear your bowels! The feeling of needing to go for a number 2 during the buffet will only damper your appetite and mood.

#4 Wear loose clothes

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Buffets are not the place or time to be wearing skinny jeans, belts or tight-fitting clothes. Opt for comfortable clothes like babydoll dresses and elasticised pants which will allow your stomach to stretch out without causing any discomfort.

#5 Don't start with carbs

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Dishes like rice, pasta, potatoes, and bread are inexpensive and not worth eating when you're paying a hefty price for the buffet. Carbs will only make your feel full quickly, leaving you with a smaller appetite for the more premium food!

#6 Aim for high-value food first

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Being overwhelmed by the huge selection, your first instinct might be to go crazy and grab the first things you see. But, it's a wiser move to stay calm, get an overview of your options and plan your eating strategy.

If you want to get the most bang for your buck, zero in on the expensive food and start with those first. Some costly dishes are carved meat and fresh seafood items such as lobsters, oysters, crabs, prawns, sushi and sashimi.

#7 Take small portions

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What looks good might not necessarily taste good, so avoid getting stuck with a large portion of a dish that you don't like. Of course, you don't want to waste food either! Sample small portions of everything first and then go in for a second round to get a bigger serving of those that you like.

Try pushing yourself to try the more exotic dishes that you normally wouldn't order at a restaurant as a buffet is the perfect opportunity to sample different foods without committing to a full serving of it.

#8 If the stock is low, wait for the next batch

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Seeing that last piece of beef might make you tempted to grab it quickly, but it may have been left out for a long time. Instead, wait for the staff to replace the whole tray so you can enjoy a fresh batch of food!

#9 Pace yourself

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Take a leaf from competitive eaters! They tend to eat at a steady, moderate pace rather than frantically stuffing themselves. To give yourself a breather, you can take a walk around the restaurant or to the toilet which can help aid digestion and minimise any bloating sensation.

Also, eating slowly will make it easier for you to gauge how full you're feeling so you can avoid overeating.

#10 Do some damage control

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After your big meal, it's time for the recovery stage! Instead of lying down, get up and go for a brisk walk to aid digestion. For more tips on how to feel better and reenergise after a big meal, check out our tips on how to beat a food coma.

Finally, you can sit back, relax and reflect on what a great time you had eating all that delicious food and feel proud of yourself for getting the most value out of the buffet.

Share this post with your friends who love going for buffets!

Text by: GirlStyle SG