Many people choose a buffet because there is such a wide range of choices to create a meal. However, when you are eating a diet free of sugar and flour, it becomes difficult to find safe choices. Questioning the staff will help you determine foods that you can eat, but there are some choices that contain no sugar or flour and can be found on many buffet lines.
Meat
Meat is naturally sugar- and flour-free. Choose lean grilled beef, chicken, fish or pork. These choices increase protein content of your meal, but won't pose a risk to your health when consumed. Stay away from any items that are breaded because they are usually done so with flour before being fried. Meats that are served smothered in sauces or gravy are likely to contain both sugar and flour.
Fresh Fruit
Many buffet style restaurants offer fresh fruit salad, which is a good option if you are trying to avoid sugar and flour. However, fruit contains natural sugars so if you must avoid them as well, stay away from the fruit salad. Fruit is a healthy part of any meal because it contains a high amount of nutrients with minimal fat and calories. Good choices include apples, oranges, bananas, melon and pineapple. Skip any canned fruit cocktail that is offered because it likely contains added sugar. Fruit with gelatin is something else you will want to avoid, and any type of fruit pie desserts will contain both sugar and flour.
Salad
A vegetable salad is both healthy and free of sugar and flour. Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, peas, radishes, cabbage, cheese and beans are good salad ingredients to choose from at a buffet. Avoid any prepared salads, as they are often made with sauces that contain flour and sugar. Choose vinegar or lemon juice as a topping for your salad. Skip the croutons because most are made with flour. Other salad bar ingredients to skip include crackers, pasta and imitation bacon bits. Many commercial salad dressings also contain sugar and flour, so be sure the one you choose is safe before pouring it on your salad.
Baked Potatoes
A baked potato is a safe buffet choice if you can't have flour or sugar. Choose shredded cheese, salsa, butter, sour cream and sliced green onions to top your potato, all of which are free of sugar and flour. Avoid any type of processed cheese, since some types contain flour as a thickening agent. A baked potato is a healthy addition to a meal and will satisfy your hunger without compromising your health.
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