There are very few ways to get more bang for your buck than at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Before you strap on the feed bag and prepare to do some damage to the food spread (and quite possibly, your health), remember these buffet don'ts that should be avoided at all costs.
There are very few ways to get more bang for your buck than at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Before you strap on the feed bag and prepare to do some damage to the food spread (and quite possibly, your health), remember these buffet don'ts that should be avoided at all costs.
#Fried foods
Restaurants that host all-you-can-eat buffets often use cheap oils that are filled with artery-clogging hydrogenated oil to fry foods. “Every time you put something in a deep fryer, it acts like a sponge and soaks up as much grease and saturated and trans fat as possible,” Ficek says. If you are jonesing for something fried like an egg roll or shrimp, ask for it to be prepared fresh and limit your portion.
#Tuna
It’s hard to tell how cold food is kept on at a buffet, which makes tuna another less-than-great option. “Tuna has to be kept at a colder temperature than other types of fish because it’s especially susceptible to certain types of bacteria,” Ficek says. A good rule of thumb? Look at how often food seems to be attended to by restaurant workers.
#Sushi
Sushi may seem like a healthy option, but preparing it safely requires starting with good-quality seafood and plenty of expertise. “If you go to a high-dollar sushi restaurant, there’s still a risk you take by enjoying seafood,” Ficek says. “You put that on a buffet and try and keep it the right temperature, you’re basically asking to get sick,” she says.
#Cream-based dishes
You should also avoid soups and pasta dishes filled with butter and cream. “All of those are packed with saturated fat, which increases your cholesterol and can damage your heart muscle,” Ficek says. She recommends opting for red sauces like marinara over white sauces whenever possible.
#Sweetened beverages
We sometimes don’t think of drinks when we’re watching what we eat, but those calories can add up, too. Beverages like sweet tea and lemonade often contain lots of sugar. And if you opt for mimosas, the alcohol and orange juice also sneak in extra calories. Instead, ask for sparkling water or unsweetened iced tea, Wright recommends.
#Mayonnaise-based salads
A lot of buffets offer up an assortment of pre-made salads, where everything from caprese salad to potato salad is yours for the taking. But there's some evidence that creamy, mayonnaise-based salads should be avoided at all costs.