Healthy Buffet?

So, my 23rd birthday is in exactly 6 days, woohoo!!! I am in the midst of planning my birthday dinner with my friends and the question of where to eat came up. While I love all of my friends, let's just say they do not have the healthiest eating habits. I would never dare tell them how to eat, but it can be difficult to make healthy choices when everyone around you is enjoying their cheeseburgers and pizza. I said hard, but not impossible ;)

One of the front-running restaurants is a local Chinese food buffet that I know everyone loves. It is huge and serves has a hibachi grill, and serves sushi as well as standard Chinese fare. Before I  adopted a healthy lifestyle, greasy Chinese food was one of my favorite meals. I used to devour pork lo mein and eggrolls and wash it all down with soda. These days, that would probably leave me with a horrible stomachache and a night of moaning and groaning on the couch. 

Anyways, I have a couple of tips that I use at buffets so you don't over stuff yourself and feel like giant blob. Here they are, in no particular order:

1.Start with a salad. At buffets, most people walk by the salad bar without a second glance on the way to the "good stuff". I always fill up on a big plate of fresh greens and veggies before I even start my main meal. It fills me up with healthy foods so I am not tempted to overeat the unhealthy stuff.

2. Keep portions small. This is probably a no brainer, but hear me out. Part of the allure of a buffet is that you can literally eat until you pop. Filling up plate after plate of food is the name of the game. But, smaller portions mean less calories and still indulging in the foods you love. I will usually stop by the dessert table and pick up a smaller dessert plate. Studies have shown that smaller plates fool your mind into thinking you have eaten more than you actually have- making you feel fuller. Crazy huh? It's worth a shot. 

3. Order off the menu. Almost every buffet in the world has a regular menu to go along with their buffet. Most people just walk in and go straight to the buffet line, but take some time to peruse the menu next time. You may find healthy options that would surprise you! Better yet, you can't get any more food, so you will leave comfortably full! Win, win!

There you go. Just a little food for thought. Pun intended ;)

How do you eat healthy in restaurants?