Wish me Luck

ads7327

i'm going to dinner with a friend and she has chosen Olive Garden. At first I almost screamed no, but then I realized I need to learn to eat sensibly all the time and all settings (I can't avoid Olive Garden for the rest of my life). Luckily I know now and plan to eat a low cal salad for lunch (thank God for Ready Pak - I love their salads). I have use MFP Food Database to determine now what I will order at dinner so I think I can do this and not go over my caories.

Wish me luck!

marybethbeech

We went to Olive Garden after church on Sunday. It was pretty hard! But, the good news is the minestrone soup only has 100 calories per 8 oz serving. I ordered that for my meal and splurged a little on appetizers.

Holton

My problem would be pushing the bread basket away once it is set down in front of you, but I encourage to be thinking about doing this as soon as it is placed on the table! Fill up on salad and order lite or if you order a pasta, go ahead an ask for a take out container and plate 1/2 of it before you even begin to eat as a way to cut back on a pasta dinner's caloric intake.

littletiger972000

I also read somewhere that the dressing on the salad is extremely high cal. Ask for it sans dressing, croutons and cheese and get a fat free dressing on the side! That may help you, also try to avoid anything w/ a "creamy" sauce or anything fried or sauteed! Good luck! :bigsmile:

katielouhoo

olive garden has some new lower cal items. ask for the nutrition information when you are seated (it is seperate from the menu)
i found the venetian apricot chicken at 280 calories fit in very well in my diet. it was tasty chicken & veg (no pasta) and then i had a green salad (no olives or croutons) and asked for lemons instead of dressing.

a very reasonable lunch. have fun.

Ashia1317

I can not decline a good Olive Garden date. ............ mmmmm Alfredo!

When I go, if I go with my sister we end up splitting a meal. If I go with my boyfriend, I split in 1/4s or 1/2s, depending on my calories for the day and put the rest in a to-go box. And I fill up on the salad so when the bread-sticks and dinner are in front of me, I ate more the "better" stuff than the carbs.

ads7327

Part of my plan is to get the Minestrone soup and eat half of the Shrimp Primavera. I plan to not eat the salad, as I have heard that the dressing is loaded with calories.