olive garden

Maxsmommy26

me and my hubby are going to the olive garden on saturday for our anniversary and i want to plan ahead to not go over (or etremely over) in my calories.... i AM a vegetarian, any advice on whats yummy and not super unhealthy

ubermensch13

pick a better restaurant.....

Soloflyergirl2

Salad, greens veggies. If they have steamed veggies as a side, order two of them.. without salt.. You can add salt to taste.
Don't eat more than one white breadstick, if you have to eat it at all.... They are covered in butter. Order grilled chicken breast,,,,, veggies,,, huge salad... Soup has a lot of salt... but have a cup, not a bowl.... and then... really enjoy yourself... You're not killing yourself with carbs and sugar... Someone loves you.... so smile.... :flowerforyou:

shawnteahsing

look on there website. they have the whole nutrition info. the eggplant parm. is not to bad for you.

extraordinary_machine

Orrrrrr, just eat what you want. Either work it in your cals or don't stress too much if you go over a bit.

bridgeo74

I would reserach the database and get a lunch portion.
You can also ask for unbuttered breadsticks and no dressing on the salad, get light on the side....

Car0lynnM

definitely check out the web site. I am also going to second the notion of picking a different restaurant. A nice local one where they make the meals fresh, and you can request less oil, that kind of thing.

Jpinpoint

You could always go on their website and see what they have and pick ahead.

hoeklisab

Whatever you get, put half (or 2/3) of it in a to-go box before you start eating. Their portions are huge!

StephCoff1969

I went there the other night, looked up online what I was going to have.. When I received my meal I told the waiter to bring me a box and boxed up half for the next day... My entire meal was about 700 calories.. Keep in mind that I had dessert and wine also...

kellie1055

Well Im also vegetarian (for the most part). Id dig into the salad, requesting dressing on the side and no croutons. I would eat all the salad I could hold and then order whatever entree I wanted but ask for a box immediately and box half of it to go.

MystikPixie

They have their nutritional info on their website, they even have a tab for 'Lighter Italian Fare'.
http://www.olivegarden.com/Menu/Nutrition/

But also the sugesstion about getting the lunch portion is a smart one, lunch portion is almost the perfect portion size on just about everything they have.

Shaysimms

I don't know if every olive garden is the same or not but I went to the one in my area this weekend and they had added a new (or at least new to me, its been forever since I went to olive garden) New Menu section called "Piccolini Plates" and they had several options of things that were served in very small portions and the price was really great. you could pick 1, 2, or 3 options. with the 3 options the salad/breadsticks were automatically included at no extra charge to your plate but if you wanted 1 and a salad you'd have to order them seperately. I had the cheese tortelloni with prosciutto (about a half cup of pasta) the caprese' something or other (tomatoes, mozerella and garlic toast ...about a 1/2 cup) and grilled chicken speidini (2 skewers of chicken with a sauce on the side) and it was very nice...i had some leftovers since i ordered 3 things but it was a really great option.

UpEarly

Ravioli di Portabello - a full dinner-sized portion is 670 calories and I can never finish it. I always bring almost half of it home. I'm pretty sure it's vegetarian, too.

One of my favorites!

Crystal_Pistol

It's reasonable in calories (for Olive Garden) and vegetarian. It's what I always get: Ravioli di Portabella
I also do soup instead of salad because if I can't have all the bells and whistles, I don't want OG salad. Pasta e Fagioli soup.

Maxsmommy26

They have their nutritional info on their website, they even have a tab for 'Lighter Italian Fare'.
http://www.olivegarden.com/Menu/Nutrition/

But also the sugesstion about getting the lunch portion is a smart one, lunch portion is almost the perfect portion size on just about everything they have.

do they do lunch portions for dinner? that would help a bunch

tmauck4472

Restaurants to avoid for healthy eating and Olive Garden is on that list. Sorry... so just go and enjoy or pick a different restaurant. I do go there but I only eat the salad with NO dressing and ministroni soup and no bread sticks.

seena511

get the child's cheese ravioli. i believe it's about 300 calories. ask for a calorie menu at the restaurant. and take it easy on the breadsticks (my weakness) :-P

miatemple

I agree to stay away from this restaurant, but if they still have it, get steamed muscles, and ask they dont use butter but use olive oil instead (similar calorie count but much better for you and has antioxidants!) :} This with a salad and you should be good (steer clear of bread!)
PS - italian restaurants usually dont mind when you ask for olive oil as a sub ;}

kimmiedunne

I LOVE the parmesan tilapia and it comes with veggies - it is delicious! Just an idea

Bobby__Clerici

When I go out, I eat what I want.
Special occasions are made better on a weekly "free day".
We're going to Olive Garden tomorrow night with our 5 kids....:noway:

That should be an adventure!
One thing is certain...I will NOT be counting calories.
You do what you feel led to do....ENJOY!

ncsjodi

Olive Garden has a low fat salad dressing that tastes almost identical to their regular dressing. Get it on the side and then go crazy with the unlimited salad. I usually get a bowl of the minestrone soup and limit myself to only one breadstick, if any.

DebraZ2012

Applebee's has awesome meals that are under 550 calories.

veggieluver2

Pick a non-chain restaurant. Or, better yet have a nice meal at home.

tsh0ck

Restaurants to avoid for healthy eating and Olive Garden is on that list. Sorry... so just go and enjoy or pick a different restaurant. I do go there but I only eat the salad with NO dressing and ministroni soup and no bread sticks.

that sounds terribly boring.

victoriavoodoo

Whatever you get, put half (or 2/3) of it in a to-go box before you start eating. Their portions are huge!

This. If you go pasta, pick red over white sauce.
Skipping the complimentary breadsticks or just having 1/2 of one helps too. I also try and fill up on their salad so it's easier to box up half of the main dish, but I pick the croutons out. And if you go over a little this one time it's ok as long as you get back on track after =]

victoriavoodoo

I LOVE the parmesan tilapia and it comes with veggies - it is delicious! Just an idea

Tilapia isn't vegetarian. If she's a pescatarian it's a good choice though.

Ctcaa90

They have a light salad dressing. It's actually really good. Ask for the salad with light dressing on the side. That will help a lot because their dressing is very high in calories.

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