Tips for not overeating at All-You-Can-Eat restaurants?

[snowpony]

I've got Donald's Safari Breakfast, Chef Mickey's, and Crystal Palace ADRs mostly because of the characters....and also Biergarten. These are all breakfasts and lunches.

I generally avoid AYCE places because I wind up eating 3x's as much as I normally would at a regular restaurant where there's portion control. I lose control and have no willpower....everything just looks so good!

Does anyone else overeat at AYCE restaurants? Any tips on how not to?

 

[wdwmagic]

Sheer will power! LOL
I don't think there is any magic trick to this. Just try to remember it isn't the last time you'll eat, and you'll most likely come back again in the future, and you don't have to eat EVERYTHING.

 

[lilclerk]

I try to take tiny amounts of things. If I want more, I can just go back up. I don't eat much in one sitting anyway and my eyes are always bigger than my stomach. I have to control what I put on my plate at buffets or else I'll just end up with a plate full of food that I can't eat... so I guess my stomach ends up being my own portion control :lol:

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

have a good pooh before you start

 

[Alexx]

Just don't do it?

 

[KnK]

have a good pooh before you start

My husbands plan!

 

[tigsmom]

All you can eat is not a challenge :lol:

I try to start off with the healthy stuff like fruit or salad with a bit of dressing. Then I move on to veggies and a bit of meat or fish. For breakfast I try to stay with the protein like scrambled eggs and not an a fat filled omelet. It all really comes down to will power...eat till you feel satisfied and then stop or you will never be able to walk around and hit those rides. :hurl::hurl:

 

[NeriBeri]

Actually, I do have a couple of strategies:

1) 1/2 Plate
Allow yourself to try everything but don't fill your plate. No more than 1/2 the plate should be full of food. This will help you not eat too much and will also force you to get up and walk to get more.

2) Pace Yourself
It's not a race. Allow at least 5 minutes before you get up and get another plate

3) Water
Drink one glass of water before and after each plate

4) Vistual Reminder
Ask the waiter NOT to remove your dirty plates on the table. By removing the evidence, people tend to eat more. The "embarassment" factor will keep you from overdoing it.


Good luck! You can do it!

 

[BiggerTigger]

My thing is I want to try everything, but I can't take large portions, keep them small. Pace yourself, no need to shovel it all in, and this is a great break from all of the walking, sit, relax, enjoy the company. Before you know it you've enjoyed a great meal and don't feel like you could be rolled out the door.

 

[djpoore94]

Start out by looking at the whole buffet to see what the offerings are and decide what you really want, too many times I just hop in the line and start putting stuff on my plate, only to discover that there is something at the end of the line I really want more than something I already have. I always start with a salad or fruit too.

Eat slowly, when you are finished with your plate, wait a few minutes before going back for more to make sure you are really still hungry.

Drink lots of water, remember thirst can mimic the feeling of hunger!!

 

[Andrew54]

Actually, I do have a couple of strategies:

1) 1/2 Plate
Allow yourself to try everything but don't fill your plate. No more than 1/2 the plate should be full of food. This will help you not eat too much and will also force you to get up and walk to get more.

2) Pace Yourself
It's not a race. Allow at least 5 minutes before you get up and get another plate

3) Water
Drink one glass of water before and after each plate

4) Vistual Reminder
Ask the waiter NOT to remove your dirty plates on the table. By removing the evidence, people tend to eat more. The "embarassment" factor will keep you from overdoing it.


Good luck! You can do it!

very good tips

 

[mickeysshoes]

Use the salad or kids plate (one smaller than the dinner plates) if they have them for your dinner so there is not so much space to fill up and then you will think you are getting more than you really are. I use this at home...server dinner on dinner plates to everyone but myself...i use a smaller plate. Has worked well for me.

 

[UberPlannerMom]

Eat slowly... it gives your tummy time to tell your brain it is full.

 

[snowpony]

Thanks all, for the great tips! This will definitely help so I don't overeat to the point where I have to be rolled out of the restaurant in a wheelbarrow. :ROFLOL:

 

[Tomi-Rocket]

I get that!

I know exactly where you're coming from. We ate at mostly breakfast buffets on our last trip and I was never hungry by the time our lunch ADR's came around. But one suggestion is if there are a lot of food items you want to try instead of getting your regular portion just get a spoonfull. Once seated take your time eating and enjoy the experience. I wish I had done that because I would've enjoyed myself (and my lunches) more had I followed this advice, lol.