How to Eat Healthy at Olive Garden

Dining out is a treat, especially when it is a festive and delicious Italian meal at the Olive Garden. While there are some richer items on the menu, it is still easy for anyone to eat healthy at Olive Garden. Choose among the various appetizers, entrées and side dishes for a great meal that is on the lighter side.

Instructions

1. Check out the Olive Garden menus ahead of time. Look at the official web site for descriptions, photos and nutrition information so that you know about the healthier choices. Realize that menus may vary somewhat by location and season.

2. Find a more comprehensive "calorie counter" web site that lists additional nutritional information about Olive Garden fare, especially sodium. There are a number of free calorie counter web sites available. While they do not list every Olive Garden dish, you can get a sense of the offerings and their sodium content.

3. Start your healthy meal with minestrone soup or salad with low fat dressing or half the amount of the house dressing.

4. Decline the extra grated cheese when offered.

5. Limit the breadsticks, which are made with white flour and brushed with butter and garlic salt.

6. Consider making a meal of soup or salad and a light appetizer like mussels.

7. Skip creamy, cheesy and fried items. Dishes like Fettuccine Alfredo and Eggplant Parmesan are loaded with fat and calories. However, if you are jonesing for one of the classic hearty recipes, eat just half your meal and take the rest home. Practice portion control so you know what constitutes a healthy serving.

8. Choose a healthy entrée from the low fat Garden Fare menu. Pasta sauces like primavera, pomodoro or marinara are all delicious lighter options. The Garden Fare menu also includes grilled meat, chicken or fish.

9. Create a healthy pizza by loading it with vegetables and ask them to go light on the cheese.

10. Ask for extra steamed vegetables on the side instead of potatoes or pasta.

11. Split a dessert with a dinner companion or just have cappuccino and biscotti.

Resources

• Calorie Tracker