What Experienced Travelers Often Skip at Hotel Buffets
For seasoned travelers, navigating a hotel buffet can be a balancing act between indulgence and smart choices. Buffets offer a wide array of foods, but not all of them are worth piling onto your plate. Experienced travelers know how to avoid the less appealing or riskier options to make the most of their dining experience. Here’s what they often skip at hotel buffets:
1. Pre-Made Salads
Pre-made salads, especially those with mayonnaise-based dressings, can sit out for long periods and may not taste as fresh as they should. The risk of foodborne illness also increases with these salads if not stored properly.
•What to choose instead: Opt for fresh, build-your-own salads with raw vegetables and lighter dressings that you can control.
2. Buffet Sushi
Buffet sushi may not have the same freshness and quality as sushi prepared à la carte. The raw fish can also pose health risks if it’s not stored at the right temperature, and some travelers prefer to skip it to avoid potential food poisoning.
•What to choose instead: If you’re craving sushi, it’s best to dine at a dedicated sushi restaurant where freshness and quality are prioritized.
3. Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs at hotel buffets are often mass-cooked and kept warm for long periods, resulting in a rubbery or watery texture. They may also be made with powdered or pre-mixed egg substitutes, which lack flavor and quality.
•What to choose instead: If available, go for freshly made omelets or poached eggs that are prepared on the spot.
4. Waffles and Pancakes
While waffles and pancakes are popular breakfast items, buffet versions tend to be pre-made and kept under heat lamps, making them soggy and less appealing. The high sugar content from syrups and toppings can also lead to a mid-morning energy crash.
•What to choose instead: Choose freshly made options like eggs or a simple toast with toppings, or opt for a smaller portion of waffles if they’re made fresh to order.
5. Bacon and Sausages
While tempting, buffet bacon and sausages can often be overly greasy or undercooked. Their high fat and sodium content also make them less-than-ideal choices for a healthy start to the day.
•What to choose instead: Stick to leaner proteins like grilled chicken, turkey slices, or smoked salmon if you’re looking for a more nutritious option.
6. Bread and Pastry Baskets
Hotel buffets typically offer an assortment of bread, croissants, and pastries, but these are often mass-produced and may not be as fresh or flavorful. These items can also quickly fill you up with empty carbs, leaving less room for healthier or more interesting options.
•What to choose instead: If you’re craving carbs, go for whole-grain toast or a small portion of freshly baked items that look and smell the best.
7. Cereal and Pre-Packaged Granola
Buffet cereals and granolas are often sugary and lack nutritional value. Granola can also be calorie-dense, especially when topped with sweeteners or dried fruit, making it less suitable for those looking to eat mindfully.
•What to choose instead: Choose plain oats, and add your own toppings like fresh fruit, nuts, and yogurt for a healthier, fiber-rich breakfast.
8. Leftover Dinner Items
Many hotels recycle leftover dinner foods, like roast meats or casseroles, for the breakfast buffet. These items may be reheated and may not taste as fresh as they did the night before, and they can lack the appeal of a breakfast-appropriate dish.
•What to choose instead: Stick with foods that are typically prepared fresh for breakfast, like fruits, eggs, and yogurt.
9. Fruit from Large Bowls
Pre-cut fruit served in large bowls can be hit or miss. Often, it’s not as fresh as fruit served whole, and it may have been sitting out for too long, losing its texture and flavor.
•What to choose instead: Opt for whole fruit like bananas, apples, or oranges, which are usually fresher and more hygienic.
10. Overly Creamy or Rich Desserts
While it’s tempting to indulge in buffet desserts, especially rich, creamy treats, these are often packed with sugar and fats that can leave you feeling sluggish. They’re also typically mass-produced, which can impact their quality.
•What to choose instead: If you have a sweet tooth, choose lighter options like fresh fruit or a small portion of yogurt with honey.
11. Buffet Coffee
Buffet coffee is often pre-brewed in large quantities and can be stale or overly bitter from sitting out for too long. For coffee lovers, this can be a disappointing experience.
•What to choose instead: If you’re serious about your coffee, skip the buffet offering and get a freshly brewed cup from the hotel’s café or nearby coffee shop.
12. Anything Under a Heat Lamp for Too Long
Food that sits under heat lamps, like roasted vegetables, meats, or even pizza, tends to dry out and lose its appeal after a while. Experienced travelers know to avoid dishes that look like they’ve been out too long.
•What to choose instead: Go for freshly replenished items or request freshly prepared food if the hotel offers that service.
Conclusion
Experienced travelers understand that not every option at a hotel buffet is worth the calories or the risk. By skipping pre-made, overly processed, or low-quality items, they focus on fresher, healthier, and tastier options. The key is to be selective and make choices that keep you feeling good throughout your travels.
Recent News
