I have had a disastrous Bank Holiday weekend on the eating front so I am aiming to be super strict this week, just to get back on track. However, on Wednesday evening I am eating out for the first time since I started this eating program.

I will be attending a dinner with work at a Chinese Buffet. I have been before (before I was low carbing so didn't pay attention at what low carb options were available) and it is a very large bufffet with over 20 Chinese main meals to choose from as well as soups, peking duck etc.

It would be difficult to ask what ingredients are in each meal as most of the waiters are Chinese and speak little English, plus I am not sure I trust what they say. Can anyone recommend what I should stick to? Obvious things are peking duck (with no pancakes or sauce) and maybe soup? I don't know. A lot fo the choices are in sauces, and obviously no rice for me or prawn crackers.

Please help me, I am already pretty down due to this weekend.

__________________
DANDR

Starting weight: 196 lbs
Current weight: 149 lbs
Goal weight: 130 lbs

Alcmene - I've only been to a Chinese Buffet place once in over two years on this woe. I tried to make the best possible choices. Things like whole fish and chicken without sauce were my best picks. But I did have a small spoon of General Tso's chicken which was a BAD choice. But it was such a small setrving that damage was minimal. If they have egg drop soup have a bowl or two. That's usually less than 2 carbs per cup. Even won ton soup without any won tons should be fairly low carb. If you select a chinese recipe that has a suce make sure it isn't sweet tasting. If not sweet tasting scrape off as much of the sauce as you can and just eat the meat and vegetables that you know are low carb. I found that I just overate when I went that one time. So I've never gone back.

__________________

my blog

I'll just throw in this link for general reference on eating out at Chinese restaurants.

http://atkins.com/Archive/2001/12/17-614000.html

__________________

my blog

Thanks Rob, very useful, I will watch out for egg drop soup as I really like it. I will need to eat as I will be at work from about 8am and will not get a chance to go home. Just in case I will plan to take in a large lunch that day and keep my carbs very low just in case I make any mistakes in the evening.

What about bamboo shoots and all those other Chinese specific veg?

__________________
DANDR

Starting weight: 196 lbs
Current weight: 149 lbs
Goal weight: 130 lbs

Bamboo shhots are pretty much a free food. I think there's something like 2 carbs ina whole cup. Water chestnuts are about 26 net carbs per cup. But a few would be fine. Most other chinese food vegetables should be okay. I really can't think of any really high carb veggies in chinese food. But maybe others can help out here.

__________________

my blog

As far as veggies go, I'd stay away from those miniature corn cobs that seem to be common on chinese buffets. But the other veggies should be fine--just watch for sauces that may have lots of cornstarch or sugar. Sometimes our chinese buffets over here have chicken wings on them--sometimes they are glazed, sometimes not. You are smart to plan ahead so that if your choices are limited, you won't starve.

Kudos to you for wanting to stay on your WOE, even when you had a discouraging time. Hang in there! It is worth it!

__________________
Renee
1/19/04
261/220/160
41 lbs off
60 lbs to goal



Race to 199 Challenge
Labor Day Challenge: Focusing on the Journey
Personal Goal: 199 by 12/31/05

There's a chinese buffet my way that has a stir fry bar along with it. Possibly that will be a choice for you. You can pick your own meats and veggies. Hmmmm..... how about chicken and broccolli dish. It's been so long since I've had chinese food, I can't remember if that's a sweet dish or not? Another choice is to have a snack before you go so that you're not so tempted, and hungry.

Whoa - just mentioned your dilemma to my DH, he thinks that the chic and broccolli dish will have too much starch. He used to cook and thinks that most of those dishes will. However, if you can stomache it, he suggested sushi. He recommends the yellow fin tuna??? Anyway - I bet they'll have a small salad bar there.

__________________
France
210/178/125 (or until I know I'm at the right #)

I absolutely adore sushi but I don't think there is any at this particular place. I am quite nervous about tomorrow actually just found out I have a lunch business meeting but I think I will take my own lunch, no way am I eating unknown food twice in one day.

Of course, that is assuming I will make it through tomorrow without falling asleep as it is currently 04.10 here!

__________________
DANDR

Starting weight: 196 lbs
Current weight: 149 lbs
Goal weight: 130 lbs