Who else experiences this? Every time I enter a buffet restaurant hungry and confident I'll get my money's worth, after only about 20 minutes of eating,I feel "overfull"and"sick of the richness"suddenly creeping up on me.
This doesn't necessarily mean our stomach is small; often it's caused by accumulated richness and eating at the wrong pace. If you're facing this midway fullness crisis and want to keep going to get your money's worth,
Thairath Online has 4 "break" tricksto take during buffets that help reset your digestive system, relieve the richness feeling, and revive your stomach so you can keep eating for longer./
1. Cut through richness with "sour foods" or "clear soup"
When we eat lots of fatty grilled meat or fried foods in a row, the body senses the fat and triggers a feeling of"richness"that makes you lose your appetite. The best break trick is to completely change flavors.
Once you start feeling bloated, stop eating fatty foods and switch to sour options like kimchi, pickled radish, spicy salads, or even a scoop of lemon sorbet ice cream between bites. The sourness acts as a palate cleanser, washing away the fat in your mouth, cutting through the richness, and stimulating saliva production to get your mouth working again. If you don't like sour foods, sipping hot clear soup also helps clear your throat and makes you feel refreshed.
2. Stand up and change posture to expand your stomach space
Sitting hunched over focused on the grill or hot pot for a long time compresses your stomach and intestines, so bloating hits faster than usual.
When you feel full, a simple trick is to find an excuse to stand up—pretend to get a drink, explore other food stations, grab dessert, or go to the restroom. Stretching and light movement help your intestines contract and move the packed food along, easing discomfort and making your stomach feel like it has a little more room.
3. Sip "hot tea" or warm water to relieve bloating
Many people try to quench their fullness with ice-cold drinks or soda, but this indirectly harms the stomach. The gas in soda expands your stomach volume, making you feel fuller, and cold water causes fat from meat to clump, making digestion harder.
The secret item for breaks is"hot tea"(such as Chinese tea or green tea) or warm water. The heat helps dissolve fats coating your stomach and intestines and stimulates digestion to work more smoothly. Sip hot tea slowly, and the bloated discomfort will gradually ease noticeably.
4. The rule for breaks: 10 minutes, and don't rest too long
When you feel so full you can't eat more, put down your chopsticks and relax chatting with friends for about 10 minutes to let your food settle and give your stomach time to work.
But the golden rule you must not miss is"don’t take breaks longer than 15-20 minutes."If you pause eating too long, your brain processes and signals that"this meal is over."It then releases fullness hormones fully, and even if a premium Wagyu steak is served right in front of you, you won’t feel like eating anymore. So just rest enough to recover, then get back to eating before your brain realizes it.
Though these tricks help you push through and eat more, the main goal of buffet dining is"happiness and enjoyment."So eat just enough to be satisfied and get your value in your own way. Don’t force yourself to the point of stomach pain or suffering, because not only is that not worth the doctor’s bills, but a delicious meal could turn into a digestive nightmare for days.
Photo: istock