olive garden

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:

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ;}

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!

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

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.

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.

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