Going to Olive Garden for Dinner

I say just relax and enjoy yourself.

If you do decide to go low cal, you can order the dressing on the side of the salad, and their minestrone soup is low cal at 100 cals per bowl. Also, if you want to have a breadstick or two with your soup and salad, they are like 150 cals per stick, if I recall correctly.

They are really sweet about splitting entrees. My husband and I usually split the Tour of Italy. It comes nicely on two plates, all pretty looking as if it were just one order. If you really want a certain order, and don't have anyone to split it with, you can order it in a lunch sized portion, which is smaller.

I ALWAYS splurge and order the Zuppa Toscana soup, it's delicious! I liked it so much I figured out how to make it at home! lol! The alfredo sauce too!

ETA: It looks like the lunch portion of their Venetian Apricot Chicken is only 290 calories. :0)

Go to their website and it shows you how many calories is in the food. I had cheese ravioli, 1 bread stick and a serving of the salad all under 800 calories I believe. I'm really picky, but there is other things with low cals also. But I knew I was going out that night, so I just made sure I watched what I ate that day so I could have a "cushion" in case I didn't find anything.

The minestrone soup is TO DIE FOR and not that many calories. I believe the caloric content is on the menu...don't. I repeat, DON'T eat the bread sticks and bring your own salad dressing...I always do...they don't care...oh and don't eat the olives! Too many calories in those. I love the minestrone soup. I always get that.

You could always say, 'to hell with it', and eat to your heart's content.. y'know.. just make it up tomorrow and all. If you really wanna go for the lower cals though, I'll list what I've found in my, 'Eat This, Not That' booklet.

1. Cheese raviolo... with marinara sauce (660 cals, 22g fat (11g saturated fat) 1,440 mg sodium)
2. Linguine alla Marinara (430 cals. 6g fat (1g sat.) 900 mg sodium)
3. Grilled chicken spiedini (460 cals, 13g fat (2.5 sat fat) 1,180mg sodium)
4. Mussels di Napoli (180 cals. 8g fat(4g sat) 1,770mg sodium)

The listed two others on the side, but haven't gone into much detail as far as calories....:
Ravioli di Portobello (I've had this and it was amazing!.. I think it's around 600 calories.. I checked the website shortly after ordering it)
> Herb-grilled Salmon or Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

The minestrone soup is TO DIE FOR and not that many calories. I believe the caloric content is on the menu...don't. I repeat, DON'T eat the bread sticks and bring your own salad dressing...I always do...they don't care...oh and don't eat the olives! Too many calories in those. I love the minestrone soup. I always get that.

This is crazy. A breadstick and an olive are fine. Olives have heart healthy fats, and there aren't that many in the salad. OP doesn't have to avoid any particular foods, she should just be wise in her portions if she chooses not to use it as a cheat meal.

I really like the apricot chicken with vegetables...it's 400 calories for the dinner portion. The minestrone soup is also really good.

Portion it out, even the salad is high in calories!!!

Minestrone = 100 calories for a nice, hearty bowl.
Breadsticks = 150 each.
Water = 0 calories.
All of their calorie info is on their website AND on their menu :drinker: ; but don't be afraid to "customize" your dish to make it healthier. You could even ask for a lunch or half plate. I went there a few days ago, ate soup, pasta, and bread = under my calorie goal.
Good luck, and most of all, enjoy yourself!

EDIT: Grammar :grumble:

Olive Garden salad torpedoed my diary. Over 600 calories for two plates and blasted my sodium out of the water by double. That was when I first started here at mfp, now I'm more aware. It's awesome you're planning ahead, definitely check their nutrition guide. Go red sauce, not cream based.

I get the zoupa tuscana and the portabella raviolis... I eat half the raviolis and don't touch the bread sticks. Ask for a box right away. If they forget, remind them when they've served everyone that you'd like a box. That way you can pack up half and won't be tempted. Good luck!!

See. Another vote for the portabella raviolis! They are great. Eat half.

I really like the apricot chicken with vegetables...it's 400 calories for the dinner portion. The minestrone soup is also really good.

^^^ This, and if you are wanting to cut about 80 calories and 75% of the sodium ask for it without the apricot sauce.

DON"T EAT THE SALAD DRESSING!!!!!!! Avoid it like the plague!!!!!!!

Here's what I have

2-3 Breadsticks
1-2 bowls of Zuppa toscana (usually just one)
1/2 Lunch portion of Seafood alfredo
with a little butter on the side it comes out to about 1350 cals.

I eat lightly and exercise during the day before I go. This usually is more than enough to fill me up and not leave me feeling deprived. That way I have a good time.

P.S. I'm only countin calories so if you are counting other stuff this may not work....but I hope it does

I agree with earlier posts: the apricot chicken is fab and fills you up. I usually go for the salad and ask for the dressing and croutons on the side, and only eat half the croutons, and ask them to only bring me one breadstick. That's still overdoing it for me for a single dinner, but it's better than a 2000+ calorie meal.

Apricot chicken without apricots is just over-cooked Olive Garden chicken.

If you know your group is going out to dinner, work out a little extra the day before, eat light the day of, and enjoy your evening out at a social event.

I'd have all of the salad and breadsticks I could handle, and chicken alfredo (with a box to talk half home). Also, the house wine aint half bad.

I went there earlier this month and had salad with dressing, TWO breadsticks, spinach and artichoke dip and salmon. I watched what I ate for the next few days, and still lost a pound by the time I got home because I had exercised and stayed below on the rest of my foods. Proof that a splurge will likely not demolish the progress you've made so far.

But I understand wanting to go with everyone's advice on low calorie stuff. Good luck. :flowerforyou: You'll be fine either way.

(ETA: I went to Olive Garden on a trip, so that's what I meant by "by the time I got home.")