Eating out at Olive Garden tonight..HELP

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.

I honestly wouldn't go.

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!

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:)

I think I am going there tonight by choice, so these suggestions are great!

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!!

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/

I got the herb grilled salmon, I think that is a pretty healthy choice

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.

Venetian Apricot Chicken. It is basically grilled chicken, vegetables, and a delicious sauce. Don't stress too much and enjoy your party !

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.