Savvy strategies for eating healthy, no matter where you find yourself this season (11 Photos)
Camille Noe Pagn on Sep 27, 2011 at 12:00PM
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Graduation parties, company gatherings and outdoor birthday bashes: Summer celebrations are rife with buffets -- but having tons of choices isn’t always a good thing. A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania found that people given 10 different candy options ate 43 percent more than those given about half that; researchers say that more options make it difficult to figure out exactly how much you’re eating. That’s exactly why buffets can be a weight trap, explains registered dietitian Lisa C. Cohn, founder of Park Avenue Nutrition in Manhattan. “It can be overwhelming and you may find yourself choosing lots of unhealthy foods (think vegetables smothered in cheese sauce and fried chicken) instead of a reasonably-sized balanced meal.”
Smart solution: “Have a plan before you hit the buffet,” says Cohn. She advises using a small salad plate, and filling half of it with fresh vegetables or salad without dressing (put a tablespoon or so on the side). Then, “choose fresh prepared foods that don’t have heavy sauces, gravy, or high-calorie oil. Baked or broiled fish, fresh seafood or sliced poultry and sweet potatoes are also all good options.”
