Tempting but better not! These are the foods you should never eat at hotel breakfast buffets.

… Mmm, that delicious quiche is sitting there so appetizing you may want to take a bite, heh? Well, don’t, especially if you’re at a hotel breakfast buffet. But I am on vacation; I am not supposed to cook, you might say. Yep, that’s also true. However, there are some things you must know before checking in to a hotel with breakfast included.

Whether it’s the basic continental breakfast at the typical hotel or the more upscale fare at more luxurious restaurants, there’s always a certain comforting element to the meal. Most hotels will present you beforehand with all the foods they serve for breakfast so you know what your options are and if they meet your expectations.

Typically, these consist of basic foods like orange juice, bacon, and scrambled eggs. To guide you in planning to eat healthily on your upcoming trip, we’ve made a list of some foods you should never eat at hotels that serve breakfast.

Scrambled eggs

One of the foods you should never eat at the hotel breakfast buffet is scrambled eggs. Why? Well, according to dietitians, many hotels make their scrambles with powdered eggs instead of cracking fresh ones.

The eggs at hotel breakfast buffets have a peculiar texture and never seem to taste as good as the ones you make at home, which may be explained by the fact that microwave preparation is even common. While powdered eggs aren’t bad, they’re less tasty than normal eggs.

Another reason to never eat scrambled eggs from the breakfast buffet is because of food poisoning. The FDA advises serving cooked eggs right away after preparation, and when it comes to hotel restaurants, you can’t know for sure if your food is fresh or not. The length of time the container of scrambled eggs has been on the buffet is frequently unknown.

Consuming eggs that have been improperly refrigerated is one of the simplest ways to contract salmonella poisoning or other foodborne infections, which can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare.

Fruit salad

Fruit may seem like a nutritious way to start the day, but when you’re in a hotel, that’s not always the case. This is because fruits are usually easily contaminated and can absorb bacteria if not cleaned properly.

For instance, because people frequently forget to wash the rinds, melons like cantaloupes can be especially dangerous. Bacteria on the rind can enter the melon’s interior and contaminate other fruits that come into contact with it.

Quiche

Among the foods you should never eat at a hotel’s buffet is quiche. Although it seems like it’s another healthy option, quiche is made with eggs, and we already said something about eggs in the previous paragraph.

These egg dishes are also at risk for illnesses linked to food, particularly if they are not properly refrigerated at the buffet table. And in most cases, they aren’t, especially if there is a massive breakfast buffet.

Nutritionists advise dining at neighborhood eateries or staying at upscale hotels if you truly want to indulge in a little quiche made with good-quality ingredients while on vacation.

Cereal

You probably love eating a warm bowl of milk with cereals first thing in the morning, but doing it at a hotel breakfast buffet might not be the best idea ever. Why? Large amounts of added sugar are found in most cereals, which temporarily raise blood sugar levels but quickly leave you feeling drained and hungry. This could be a good choice if granola with a variety of nuts and seeds is available.

Otherwise, though, we advise staying away from the cereal section. You might have to pay a large lunch price soon after because you will be pretty hungry.

Milk and fruit juice

When beverages are not refrigerated, they present an additional opportunity for bacteria to grow. Furthermore, we are unable to determine how long the milk has been in the bottle on the table at a hotel buffet.

The “fresh” juice is no different. Since it is most likely not even pasteurized, it is more probable to develop dangerous bacteria when left out at room temperature for a few hours. However, you can ask if you want to be sure if the juice is shelf-stable or if it’s freshly squeezed. This is because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that juice that is shelf-stable and comes in boxes, bottles, or cans does not require mandatory refrigeration.

Yogurt

Same as milk, yogurt isn’t a good choice. To reduce food waste and cross-contamination, many hotels choose to have a small refrigerator filled with yogurt cups. Avoiding any questionable dairy from a mediocre breakfast buffet is a smart idea because you can’t always be certain how the food was prepared before it was served.

Pre-cooked meat

Like eggs, you should stay away from any cooked meat at the hotel buffet that isn’t being kept warm.  If perishable food is not covered and refrigerated, it will become unsafe to consume within two hours.
When you come to eat, it’s hard to tell if the food has been sitting for more than two hours because buffets are usually set up before you arrive. Because of this, it is best to avoid cold precooked meat.

Instead of munching on icky foods that are offered for breakfast at the hotel you’re staying at, try out protein bars. They are available in a lot of flavors, so it’s impossible not to find your favorite! The good thing about them is that they could be eaten on the go, as a snack, or even to supplement breakfast if it wasn’t consistent enough. It will keep you satiated for a long while. Order your pack of 12 protein bars at $28.99 from Amazon. 

Waffles

Waffles are yummy, but… Waffle makers operated by guests add a certain element of “that’s a no-no” to any hotel buffet. This is because, although hungry breakfast customers may be tempted to customize their waffles and stuff them full of toppings.

Besides the fact that you may wait in line for a while if you want to make your waffles because there are a bunch of folks hogging the iron to make waffles for their entire family, you never know how old the butter next to the waffle iron is. Better stay away from waffles and make your own when you return from vacation.

Anything without a serving utensil

Oh, no, that’s bad! No, no, no. You should definitely stay away from anything from the hotel’s buffet that doesn’t have a serving utensil. It’s not sanitary! Given that people have been handling food with their hands, the hotel buffet may be contaminated.

Additionally, even if a utensil is available, you should wash your hands before and after handling the food on your plate. It’s possible that other guests’ hands weren’t properly cleaned after using the restroom or that they were in their mouths for their finger-licking appetizer. Yikes!

What do you prefer to eat when you’re on vacation? Tell us in the comments section.

…Thanksgiving is around the corner so you might want to take a look at this article with tasty dessert recipes for this awesome celebration: You Won’t Want to Skip These 3 Mini Thanksgiving Desserts.