How to Eat Healthy at Old Country Buffet

Buffets like Old Country Buffet can be a great place to get a healthy meal, quickly. You don't have to worry about special ordering your food, but you do have to learn how to maneuver against the mountains of high-calorie, high-fat foods that lurk on the buffet line. Keep reading to find out how to eat healthy at Old Country Buffet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Start off with a salad. A spring salad has only 5 calories. Add some fat-free dressing, and you have a nice healthy way to start your meal off right. Steer clear of pre-made salads like chicken, tuna or coleslaw; these can easily have 250 calories or more per serving.
2. Skip the bread. A dinner roll has 110 calories and a biscuit has 180 calories. Butter and other condiments only add to the fat and calorie count.
3. Choose a smart protein. Chicken breast, pot roast, fish or even a steak can all be a healthy part of your Old Country Buffet meal. Remember to keep your portions small and expect to spend at least 250-300 calories on a protein of your choice. All of their meat entrees have 15 grams of fat or fewer, so you can keep your fat intake in check.
4. Understand about portion control. Fill up your plate with healthy options, and when your plate is clean, stop eating. Resist the urge to go back for seconds; this is when the excess calories will get you.
5. Drink water and save room for dessert. Water has no calories and will give you more room for a light dessert. Sample the sugar-free gelatin, which has only 10 calories, or splurge on some frozen yogurt, which has 80 calories.

Tips & Warnings

• The calorie counts reported by each establishment are estimates and may vary by location or portion size. Always use common sense when dining out.