Eating out at Olive Garden tonight..HELP

ttillman19
ttillman19 Posts: 54 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I have a graduation party tonight at the Olive Garden. This place has good taste, but not very good on the calories. Anyone have an advise on what is the healthiest to eat there?
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Replies

  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    There is a linguine dish that has around 300 calories... I get that and not eat the whole thing... there is too much for me... let me find the name of it.
  • Loko_Ino
    Loko_Ino Posts: 544 Member
    Moderation, enjoy your dinner with some moderation.




















    STFU GTFO
  • Pedal_Pusher
    Pedal_Pusher Posts: 1,166 Member
    I honestly wouldn't go.
  • sun33082
    sun33082 Posts: 416 Member
    This should help:

    http://www.olivegarden.com/Menu/Nutrition/
  • CMorning99
    CMorning99 Posts: 923 Member
    I had a office party lunch there yesterday...it was tough.

    I had the Capellini and it was pretty good. I think I saw the Apricot Chicken was good too. Or you can do the Salad and Soup (check which soups are lowest calorie)...it is the breadsticks that are always my undoing!
  • jpoulsen2
    jpoulsen2 Posts: 65 Member
    start by skipping the breadsticks and ordering a lunch portion (they will serve these smaller sizes even at dinner time), then take half of it home and you're golden!
  • Bn331
    Bn331 Posts: 11 Member
    Maybe try to mainly fill up on the salad first, then when your entree comes before you even start eating determine how much your going to eat. Once you eat that portion, push your plate away and indulge in some great conversation! Oh and I also try to drink a whole glass of water befote my meals even comes! I eat out a lot and this seems to work for me! Hope I helped:)
  • murf19
    murf19 Posts: 453 Member
    salad
  • morgansmom02
    morgansmom02 Posts: 1,131 Member
    I think I am going there tonight by choice, so these suggestions are great!
  • rla331
    rla331 Posts: 27 Member
    Linguini alla marinara is 430 calories, and very good! Bread sticks are 150 calories, I believe. I would just skip the salad. :)
  • Bailey543
    Bailey543 Posts: 375
    Ugh, Olive Garden....I stay as far away as I can! LOL, but try the salad, skip the bread sticks and maybe a small dish. Or maybe just eat it and move on with the next meal....all depends on the person. Some people don't have cheat meals, some people have cheat days..... Your choice, but have fun!!
  • kajpen
    kajpen Posts: 120 Member
    I like their Venetian Apricot Chicken... it is only 400 calories. They also have a couple of fish dishes that are relatively healthy: Parmesean crusted Tilapia 590 calories or the Herb Grilled Salmon is 510 calories. You can go on their website and look at the Nutrition Facts page and figure out what to eat ahead of time. That way when you get there, you have a plan :-)
  • eliz_in_pink
    eliz_in_pink Posts: 278 Member
    For help in the future- I google the name of the place I am eating at and add the word nutrition at the end (example: Olive Garden nutrition) Have a great party tonight! Here is a link that may be helpful:

    http://www.olivegarden.com/menu/nutrition/
  • skinnylove912
    skinnylove912 Posts: 19 Member
    limit yourself on breadsticks!!!! They are so tasty but soooo bad for you!
    I usually get the Chicken and Gnocci soup...I believe one bowl is 250 calories.
    I usually eat about 1.5 (its a bottomless bowl) so its like 375 calories but is completely worth it!
  • genuinelyfrans
    genuinelyfrans Posts: 584
    I got the herb grilled salmon, I think that is a pretty healthy choice
  • buckeyegirl0103
    buckeyegirl0103 Posts: 194 Member
    I I think I saw the Apricot Chicken was good too.


    This is a really good dish and very low in calories. Check the nutrition page- it will tell you the calorie count! You can also get the pasta as whole wheat- that would be healthier! The whole wheat pasta with marinara is also not bad on the calorie count!
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    Linguini alla marinara is 430 calories, and very good! Bread sticks are 150 calories, I believe. I would just skip the salad. :)

    ^^^ That's the name of it... Olive Garden was taking too dadgum long to load... and there is A LOT of pasta that comes in that dish. You could easily just eat half of it.
  • Mustangsally1000
    Mustangsally1000 Posts: 854 Member
    Tons of sodium and tons of calories. I wouldn't go......
  • LessFatSteph
    LessFatSteph Posts: 1
    Venetian Apricot Chicken. It is basically grilled chicken, vegetables, and a delicious sauce. Don't stress too much and enjoy your party :)!
  • bellygoaway
    bellygoaway Posts: 441 Member
    Get a work-out in before you go. That way you can eat back your calories and not feel guilty.
  • LaSweetMini
    LaSweetMini Posts: 157 Member
    Grilled salmon with veggies and linguini is about 400 calories. Ministrone soup about 100-200. Just dont eat any bread or dessert and you will be fine. Also, the mushroom ravioli is pretty low.
  • linochka1969
    linochka1969 Posts: 136 Member
    Whatever you order ask to split it in a half before they serve, and bring the rest to you in a to go box.
    I did that with Montana Grill last weekend
  • Sharyn913
    Sharyn913 Posts: 777 Member
    I have a graduation party tonight at the Olive Garden. This place has good taste, but not very good on the calories. Anyone have an advise on what is the healthiest to eat there?

    Get in a great work out today, and tomorrow, and enjoy your time this evening. Don't get so hung up on every calorie, enjoy the celebration and life! =) If you ate at Olive Garden each day, it would become a problem, but if it's once in a blue moon, I don't think going over on your calories once will make a huge deal!
  • Julzanne72
    Julzanne72 Posts: 468 Member
    soup/salad/breadsticks....I wouldn't stay away. You can't avoid Olive Garden forever, and moderation is fine. If you aren't eating there every day, I say go, eat what you want and enjoy the time with the people you are with. Don't sweat one meal!
  • GetFitE
    GetFitE Posts: 247 Member
    I would DEFINITELY check the menu before going, but I DO know off the top of my head that the apricot chicken is one of the lower calories meals--it's 2 small chicken breast served with steamed broccoli. Try to portion control the breadsticks. If you REALLY want one, eat half of it with the salad, and then eat the other half with your meal. I agree with other posters about trying to fill up on salad first, but if you can get your own smaller salad bowl-ask for the dressing on the side and pour it on yourself to cut some calories.

    But if you REALLY can't break the pasta craving, ask for whole wheat pasta (I know some Olive Gardens offer the option), and either when you order or AS SOON as you get your plate, ask for a To-go box and pack up half of it (and take the box OFF the table--place it in a chair next to you so it's out of sight & you aren't tempted to open the box and eat).

    **Added: I disagree with other posters about not going. There's no sense in NOT enjoying life & celebrating moments with friends because it's known to be bad for you. You just have to learn to plan in advance and stick to the plan and practice self-control. And if you go & are successful, it makes it easier for you the NEXT time you are invited to OG-you can order the same thing & not even have to think about it. Enjoy life!
  • mcarter99
    mcarter99 Posts: 1,666 Member
    Eat a third to half, if that. I go to Carrabba's semi-regularly and get like 4 meals out of one Pollo Rosa Maria, and it's not even a pasta dish.
  • tanyaslosingit
    tanyaslosingit Posts: 178 Member
    There a Olive Garden nutrition chart online: http://www.olivegarden.com/menu/nutrition/

    I've found most national chains have nutrition charts online and they are very helpful in making choices beforehand. I always decide what I want and, then an alternate choice, just in case the branch I go to is out of, or doesn't have, my first choice.
  • StarkLark
    StarkLark Posts: 476 Member
    I do the same thing anytime I have to go out to eat and either don't know the nutrition information or I'm worried about eating too much: Just order off-menu. They'll give it to you if you ask:

    Plain grilled chicken breast.
    Side of plain steamed veggies
    Side salad, low fat dressing on the side.
  • CherylGardner
    CherylGardner Posts: 75 Member
    I honestly wouldn't go.

    Really? This is your suggestion -- skip a party because it's at Olive Garden?

    How else would one learn self control, if they don't practice? They have dishes there that aren't so bad... and the soups/salads that are both pretty tasty and good on a diet. I love their Minestrone... 100 calories for the serving.

    Olive Garden does a great job of providing nutrition info on their site, I think you should be able to find something and eat well depending on how many cals you are shooting for. Even eating the salad starter and then 1/2 of an entree should serve you well... Just decide what you want before you get there... then you will already know what you're up for and can account for it the rest of the day, if you want to indulge a little.
  • sevencallmemom
    sevencallmemom Posts: 505 Member
    I was there a couple of days ago and had the apricot chicken (without the sauce, because I'm a low carber) and it was amazing. High sodium, sure, but probably the best choice on the menu that isn't just salad.

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