Buffets and Bad Habits

Buffets are a popular American tradition. My family always liked them because all of us picky eaters could fill up without the fight of what to eat. Unfortunately they are also a major cause of America's bad eating habits.

Here are a few of my buffet critiques:

"I need to feel that I'm getting my money's worth."
Why do we need to sit down with massive piles of food just to feel we are getting our money's worth? News flash, if the general public had any idea how much time, energy, money and effort went into getting them good, fresh, free of harmful microbes and toxins, and well prepared meals to their table they would never say, "I don't feel I got my money's worth." I have eaten at places where I have spent over $100 per person (not including alcohol) and felt that is was the best money I spent all year. Quantity is NOT quality.

Buffets do not focus on food groups
You go to a buffet. Plate 1: salad. Plate 2: a rib and a baked potatoes maybe some corn Plate 3: Fried Chicken, French fries, and one of those sticky buns. Plate 4: Time for dessert, let's try a piece of cake, cobbler and what the heck, ice cream. I dare you to find a balanced meal out of that.

Where are the portion sizes?
Few people realize that the serving sizes at buffets are much larger than normal. Have you ever looked closely at a serving spoon in the mac n' cheese? It is about 4 to 5 time larger than your serving spoon at home. Now put four to five things on your plate. Suddenly you're going to eat a 4 to 5 times what you would at home. Then that plate magically disappears, like it never happened and you're on to the next one. Whenever you forget what you just ate, you are going down the path to overeating.

Do the Words "Balanced Meal" Mean Anything to You?

DC and I visited a Sweet Tomatoes last week. It's an okay place for a large lunch but this isn't going to be a review. The whole premise behind this chain is to fill up a on a large salad bar and then add to lunch with soups, pasta, and bread. Everything is buffet style and they boast a very healthy menu. Now, I did enjoy my lunch and was substantially full at the end. However, I was a little dismayed as I came to dessert. The choices were fruit (good), jello (maybe), some sort of low calorie strawberry flavored mousse (what the?), and low fat frozen yoghurt (sure I guess). So I'm standing there thinking, "I've just had a large salad, a small serving of low fat pasta with fresh veggies, and a piece of cornbread. Where is my one indulgent bite of fudge brownie or bite of cake?" Believe it or not Sweet Tomatoes, I can balance my meal and watch my calories. I don't need you to do it for me!