Dining out at a pizza buffet is a great experience, but if you're on a diet, it can also be a challenging one. Pizza is not exactly known for being the world's healthiest food, and the other foods that pizza restaurants like to include in their buffets -- like chicken wings and pizza logs -- aren't low in calories, either. Thankfully, there are ways to enjoy a buffet at a pizza restaurant without completely blowing your diet to bits. Here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Fill up on salad.
If the pizza buffet has salad, make a trip to the salad section before you eat anything else. If the buffet does not include salad, see if you can order one to start your meal. If you fill up on low-calorie salad first, you won't feel as tempted to gorge yourself on the other more fattening foods.
Make sure the salad you make or order is healthy. Choose more veggie toppings and fewer calorie-dense toppings like bacon and cheese. Choose a low-fat dressing or a simple vinaigrette rather than a creamy dressing like ranch.
2. Pick the veggie pizza.
If there is a vegetarian pizza option, make that the one you go for. Not only is it higher in fiber, thanks to the veggies, but it should also contain less fat than a pizza that is topped with pepperoni or sausage. Fiber will help fill you up faster and keep you fuller for longer.
3. Blot your pizza.
You've probably seen people do this in movies or in real life. Take a napkin and blot any grease off the top of your pizza. Depending on the type of cheese the restaurant uses, there could be quite a bit of grease that has settled out of the cheese and pooled on top of the pizza. Removing it will make each slice less calorie-dense.
4. Eat slowly, and sip water between bites.
Really take the time to savor each bite of your pizza. Chew it thoroughly and take a sip of water between each bite to extend the eating experience further and fill you up a little more. Do not order a soft drink -- that's just extra calories that don't even fill you up.
5. Use a smaller plate.
If the buffet has smaller plates for salads, try using these plates for your regular entree, too. The pizza you choose will look like more on a smaller plate, so you won't feel as tempted to fill a big plate up and over-indulge.
Share3 June 2018
Ever since I started a gluten-free diet, I have had to pay special attention to what restaurants I dine in. I have found that many restaurants are making the changes to include several gluten-free options for people like me. How do you find these restaurants and what can you choose on a menu that isn't specifically made for gluten-free diets? This blog contains several tips for making your dining experiences pleasant and diet friendly. You will find many options of foods that are served at many restaurants so that you can go just about anywhere and find something that you will enjoy.