Avoiding UNDEReating at a buffet...some advice needed

So tomorrow I'm supposed to go out for lunch/dinner with my rents at a Chinese buffet (not a special occasion - just eating out). It'll be my first time at a Chinese buffet since ED (over a year ago). I'm having anxiety over this for two different reasons: 1) SODIUM and 2) I'm scared that I will purposely/unintentionally undereat and not meet my calorie needs.

I don't want to food myself into thinking I've had enough and overexcercise later and "make up for it" the next day. I'm scared that I'll go there, puss out, and only have some sushi and a salad.

I've worked way to hard to reach the amount of calories that I'm eating these days to throw it away. Does anyone have any advice as to ensure that I'll meet my daily calorie intake? And to reduce my anxiety?

Thanks in advance (:

It's only one meal...  I think that's the way to approach it.  Whether you end up undereating or not, it's not going to make a massive difference to what happens the rest of the week - provided you don't let it and provided you carry on as normal.   Maybe understanding that would help you relax.

And then how to avoid undereating specifically.  Reverse the guidelines given to those trying to lose weight!  Make a conscious effort to...

• Add vegetables to your plate sparingly
• Choose fried foods over grilled or steamed
• Enjoy plenty of sauces and dressings
• Go back for second-helpings (if that's an option)

It would be a major achievement if you could do all that and also resist the temptation to exercise by way of compensation.  Whatever happens, enjoy the occasion and the company of friends. 

I went to a buffet about a month ago and it did cause stress but I did not restrict and met the plan. I tried to make my plate like a meal I would order in a restaurant or make at home. Rather then just grazing and having a lot of different types of things. So at Chinese what do you usually order when off a menu. Like if you start with wonton soup,chicken/vegetables in a sauce,brown rice,etc. Make your portions though adequate. Like a fist is a cup for ex. No restricting before or after. The rest of the day must be filled the same. Even if you felt you had over at that meal. People do sometimes splurge at one meal and don't restrict at the next. You can do this. I know it is anxiety provolking but try to focus on that part of food is enjoying socially and the more you allow yourself to do this hopefully oneday you can enjoy

I went out to eat one night and also had the challenge of giving myself portions without the use of a measuring cup (I don't need as much any more - but I was still pretty bad at that point)

Things to keep in mind: half a cup of anything should be slightly larger than your balled fist. A tablespoon is a heaped dinner spoon. A 3oz serving of meat should be the same size or a bit bigger than the size of and open palm (or your whole hand if its thin-cut)

Sounds strange, but keeping those gauges in mind helps me figure out what kind of portion sizes I need to e giving myself.

Remember, when you're gaining and recovering from an ED - you truly are better off eating a bit more than a bit less. Whatever you think is a good portion - you should generally double.

Also - it IS just one meal. If you really do not have it in you to eat an ample amount of calories, you can always eat an extra snack later.

Some great advice here for you, izzy.

I too have terrible trouble when it comes to eating out, for a variety of reasons.  One of the main reasons is I can't stand eating with other people.  It puts me right off and the small amount that I do put on my plate gets picked at and then I feel full and end up sending it back looking as though I haven't touched it.

I know it's very much a mental block with me, but it's something that I'm receiving therapy for, along with other factors to do with my ED.

Good luck izzy - and above all, please don't let it ruin the social side of the occassion.

I hear ya!  My parents love their Chinese buffet as well.  Whenever I'm in town and visiting, where do we go?

How do I handle it?  First, I keep to eating like I would if I were at home.  I go for the veggies both raw (salad bar, no creamy dressings) and steamed.  I also go for the steamed rice rather than fried.  I avoid the noodles as I can't eat noodles or bread or anything dairy (allergies to wheat and dairy).  Dessert is fruit not ice cream.

I also know the buffet my parents like has lots of seafood such as shrimp, crab legs and sushi. 

One last thing I keep in mind...when I travel I tend to undereat.  I'm in a different time zone with an erractic schedule that is long day (15-18 hours long) and so it's ok to enjoy a little and have a reasonable serving of ginger beef along with all the other good choices.

Most importantly, stop eating when you're full - even if you "didn't get your money's worth"

Have a rough idea of the calories in the foods which will possibly be at the buffet. Stick to foods you feel comfortable with, but go outside the comfort zone also and challenge yourself with more uncomfortable foods.
I think it’s the balance of being aware of what you are eating, but letting go to a certain extent as well.

A key to not under-eating is to “underestimate” the calories in things rather than overestimate them!

goodluck!