12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (2024)

Creamy chicken alfredo; unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks; and a handful of Andes mints before you head home—these are some of the staples of the Olive Garden experience. For years, this famous Italian chain restaurant has continued to serve up comforting, hearty dishes at a decently affordable price. Even though a large majority of their menu is full of creamy, calorie-dense pastas and indulgent desserts, there are still some healthier menu items at Olive Garden to choose from.

Like most chain restaurants, most of the "healthier" options on the menu are still higher in calories, sodium, and saturated fat than what you might make for yourself at home. And while home-cooked meals will almost always be superior to restaurant food when it comes to nutritional value because of your ability to control and monitor your ingredients, there are nights when you just want to forget about cooking and treat yourself to a comfort meal that someone else prepares.

For those moments when you're itching to eat out but still want to have the option of not derailing your health goals, we talked with three registered dietitians about healthier Olive Garden dishes to choose next time you head to the famous Italian-style restaurant.

Read on, then, check out the 8 Unhealthiest Olive Garden Ordersto find out which dishes you may want to skip next time you're there.

Minestrone Soup

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (1)

Nutrition (Per order):
Calories: 110
Fat: 1 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
Sodium: 810 mg
Carbs: 17 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 4 g)
Protein: 11 g

Another signature item at Olive Garden is a bowl of their soup. You can choose from options like Zuppa Toscana, Chicken and Gnocchi, and Pasta Fagioli, but Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN suggests the Minestrone if you want something on the healthier side.

"This soup is higher on the sodium side, but it is low in fat, contains fiber, and is chock-full of vegetables," says Manaker. "Bonus? Soups can be quite hydrating, thanks to the liquid used to make them."

Round out your meal with a salad and some grilled chicken for more nutrients and protein. Craving some of their breadsticks to go with your hot bowl of soup? Certainly don't deprive yourself, just be aware that they are about 140 calories each.

The #1 Healthiest Order at Olive Garden, According to a Dietitian

Pasta Fagioli Soup

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (2)

Nutrition (Per order):
Calories: 150
Fat: 6 g (Saturated Fat: 2 g)
Sodium: 710 mg
Carbs: 16 g (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 4 g)
Protein: 8 g

For another nutritious soup option at Olive Garden, try theirPasta Fagioli Soup.

"This soup stands out as one of the healthiest choices on their menu for several reasons," says Mary Sabat MS, RDN, LD. "Firstly, it offers a balanced macronutrient profile, providing a good amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fiber, essential for sustained energy and satiety. With 8 grams of protein, 16 grams of carbohydrates (including 5 grams of fiber), and only 7 grams of fat, it offers a filling and nutritious option without excessive calories."

Sabat adds that "the presence of red and white beans contributes to the soup's fiber and protein content, promoting digestive health and muscle maintenance, and the inclusion of fresh tomatoes adds a dose of antioxidants and vitamins, enhancing its nutritional value."

Herb-Grilled Salmon

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (3)

Nutrition (Per order):
Calories: 610
Fat: 45 g (Saturated Fat: 11 g)
Sodium: 1,360 mg
Carbs: 9 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 3 g)
Protein: 45 g

At first glance, the fat content of this dishmay not seem ideal, but when you take into consideration where the fat is coming from, it changes the nutritional value entirely.

"While it is higher in fat than other dishes on the list, it is high in omega-3's, an essential fatty acid we can only obtain from our diet that supports brain and overall health," says Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD. Omega-3s—which are a type of polyunsaturated fat—have been found to also aid in heart health, fight against inflammation, and even reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Like most dishes on the Olive Garden menu, this one is quite high in sodium, so we recommend monitoring your salt intake for the rest of the day.

The #1 Unhealthiest Olive Garden Order, According to a Dietitian

Spaghetti With Marinara

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (4)

Nutrition (Per order):
Calories: 490
Fat: 12 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
Sodium: 1,290 mg
Carbs: 83 g (Fiber: 6 g, Sugar: 13 g)
Protein: 15 g

According to Goodson, a classic bowl of Spaghetti With Marina is one of the healthiest pasta options you can get at Olive Garden.

"It may be lower in calories and fat than some of the above options, but there is very little protein or vegetables," says Goodson. "So, if you are craving pasta, I recommend this dish and a side of grilled chicken."

Grilled Chicken Margherita

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (5)

Nutrition (Per order):
Calories: 650
Fat: 39 g (Saturated Fat: 11 g)
Sodium: 2,120 mg
Carbs: 15 g (Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 5 g)
Protein: 65 g

"This dish is a fantastic light option featuring grilled chicken and a side of broccoli with no additional carbohydrates,for those looking to cut back," says Goodson. "It's also high in protein, which will help you stay full longer after eating this meal."

One thing to watch for when eating at Olive Garden (as well as many other chain restaurants) is the amount of saturated fat in each meal. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 13 grams of saturated fat per day, which means you won't have much wiggle room after eating this meal. However, this meal is still lower than many options on their menu, and you'll get a boost of nutrients from the chicken, tomatoes, and broccoli.

11 Unhealthiest Dishes to Order at Chili's

Create Your Own Pasta: Angel Hair With Marinara

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (6)

Nutrition (Per Angel Hair Pasta & Marinara):
Calories: 400
Fat: 11.5 g (Saturated Fat: 0.5 g)
Sodium: 1,290 mg
Carbs: 84 g (Fiber: 7 g, Sugar: 12 g)
Protein: 16 g

Olive Garden has a "Create Your Own Pasta" option on the menu, which works well for people with specific dietary restrictions or health goals. If this appeals to you, Manakersuggests going for the Angel Hair Pasta With Marina Sauce.

"Pasta is a unique carbohydrate because it is made with only two ingredients, and when made, it creates a lower glycemic matrix that provides protein, energizing carbs, and other nutrients. So as long as you are keeping your portion size under control, pasta with marinara sauce is okay," says Manaker.

"The marinara sauce is packed with lycopene, thanks to the cooked tomato it is made with, and lycopene is a plant compound that is linked to a slew of health benefits," she adds. Lycopene has strong antioxidant propertiesknown to help your body fight free radicals. It has been found to help heart health and lower cholesterol as well.

Gluten-Free Rotini Pasta with Marinara

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (7)

Nutrition (Per order):
Calories: 380
Fat: 3.5 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
Sodium: 260 mg
Carbs: 77 g (Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 0 g)
Protein: 9 g

Fear not—you can still enjoy some pasta at Olive Garden even if you can't have gluten. For those needing a gluten-free meal, Sabat suggests the Gluten-Free Rotini with Marinara.

"This dish offers 9 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, which is significantly higher than traditional pasta varieties, making it a more filling and satisfying option," she says.

This dish comes "as is," but if you go the route of using their "Create Your Own Pasta" menu, Sabat says you can choose their Gluten-Free Rotini as your base and add Marinara Sauce and Grilled Chicken to round out your meal. "This combination provides a balanced meal of complex carbohydrates, fiber, and protein," she says, "which is essential for sustaining energy levels and promoting satiety."

The #1 Healthiest Order at Texas Roadhouse

Cheese Ravioli With Marinara Sauce

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (8)

Nutrition (Per order):
Calories: 750
Fat: 38 g (Saturated Fat: 19 g)
Sodium: 2,370 mg
Carbs: 63 g (Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 8 g)
Protein: 41 g

Although this dish is loaded with sodium and should maybe be avoided if you're someone watching your salt intake, there is a lot of protein to help keep you full longer.

"If you want another pasta option with more protein, the cheese ravioli is your dish, although it does have a higher calorie and fat content than the other dishes," says Goodson. "I recommend adding a side of broccoli to make this a more balanced meal."

Shrimp Scampi

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (9)

Nutrition (Per order):
Calories: 490
Fat: 18 g (Saturated Fat: 7 g)
Sodium: 1,120 mg
Carbs: 52 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 5 g)
Protein: 29 g

Opting for a healthier choice at this Italian kitchen doesn't mean you have to steer clear of pasta. For a healthier yet still hearty and comforting pasta meal, try the Shrimp Scampi.

"This dish does have a higher carbohydrate value compared to menu items like the salmon and chicken Margherita dish, but it provides a balance of vegetables, protein, and carbs—which we like to see," says Goodson. "However, it could include a better ratio of vegetables to carbohydrates—but if you exercise a lot, the higher-carb count can be a helpful option for you."

The 8 Healthiest Menu Items at Panda Express

Lunch Sized Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (10)

Nutrition (Per order):
Calories: 360
Fat: 12 g (Saturated Fat: 3.5 g)
Sodium: 530 mg
Carbs: 51 g (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 9 g)
Protein: 14 g

If you take a trip to Olive Garden during your lunch break, you can treat yourself to their lunch portions, which are a bit smaller and more manageable in terms of nutritional value. Take their Lunch-Sized Spaghetti, for example, which you can order with either their Meat Sauce or Marinara.

Both sauce options provide lighter levels of fat, calories, and sodium, while still providing some protein and healthy fats. Overall, this dish is a great choice for your lunch break, and you can add a side salad or soup to round out your meal even more.

Salad With Signature Italian Dressing

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (11)

Nutrition (Per order):
Calories: 150
Fat: 10 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
Sodium: 770 mg
Carbs: 13 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 4 g)
Protein: 3 g

It's almost impossible to think about Olive Garden without picturing their Signature Salad next to a warm plate of breadsticks. Thankfully, Manaker says this salad option is a great choice because "itis on the lower side when it comes to saturated fat and is packed with refreshing vegetables that help people meet their fiber needs." However, this salad likely won't be filling enough on its own, so you might want to consider ordering a side of grilled chicken.

The #1 Healthiest Pasta Dish at 10 Major Restaurant Chains

Sides of Grilled Chicken, ParmesanBroccoli, and a Salad

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (12)

Nutrition (Per Parmesan Broccoli Side):
Calories: 150
Fat: 13 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
Sodium: 450 mg
Carbs: 8 g (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 2 g)
Protein: 5 g

Nutrition (Per Grilled Chicken Side):
Calories: 130
Fat: 2.5 g (Saturated Fat: 0.5 g)
Sodium: 540 mg
Carbs: <1 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
Protein: 26 g

Nutrition (Per Signature House Salad):
Calories: 150
Fat: 10 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
Sodium: 770 mg
Carbs: 13 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 4 g)
Protein: 3 g

A more "non-traditional" path you can choose when dining at Olive Garden is ordering a few sides to create a meal. Sabat suggests options for sides like Grilled Chicken, Parmesan Broccoli, and their House Salad, which she says is a great choice "for those mindful of their calorie intake."

"The Grilled Chicken stands out as a low-calorie, high-protein option, offering a substantial 26 grams of lean protein while containing minimal fat at just 2.5 grams. Pairing it with Parmesan Broccoli adds essential nutrients and fiber, contributing to feelings of fullness and satiety despite its modest 150 calories," says Sabat. "This combination provides a well-rounded, satisfying, and nutrient-dense meal that aligns with health-conscious goals, making it one of the healthiest choices available at Olive Garden."

This story has been updated to include new information, fact-checking, and copyedits.

Sign up for our newsletter!

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden (2024)

FAQs

12 Healthiest Dishes To Order at Olive Garden? ›

House salad (without croutons) with low-fat dressing, and minestrone soup. Olive garden is famous for their house salad and breadsticks. Paired with minestrone soup, it's a healthier meal, although the sodium content is high. Omit the breadstick to reduce the sodium, fat, and calories.

What is the most healthy thing at Olive Garden? ›

House salad (without croutons) with low-fat dressing, and minestrone soup. Olive garden is famous for their house salad and breadsticks. Paired with minestrone soup, it's a healthier meal, although the sodium content is high. Omit the breadstick to reduce the sodium, fat, and calories.

Which Olive Garden soup is the healthiest? ›

Olive Garden has a few choices for its unlimited soups and its minestrone is one of the healthiest. This vegan version of the traditional Italian vegetable soup has tomato-based broth, beans, fresh veggies, and small, shell-shaped pasta.

What can I order healthy for dinner? ›

Soups and Burgers
  • Broth-Based Soup. Broth-based vegetable soups are often healthier options than cream-based soups. ...
  • Veggie Burger. Traditional burgers are high in saturated fat, which may increase your cholesterol and lead to weight gain. ...
  • Vegetarian Chili. A vegetarian chili can be a satisfying and filling choice.
Nov 28, 2023

What's the healthiest thing to get at a restaurant? ›

Set your sights on menu items that feature lean proteins like grilled chicken or turkey, and of course veggies. Prioritize rotisserie, roasted, grilled, poached or sautéed meat or fish options over fried or processed. Aim to stick to one fat source—whether that's cheese, avocado, sour cream or cream cheese.

Is soup and salad at Olive Garden healthy? ›

When dining at Olive Garden, soup or salad and a shrimp entree are going to be your best bets. Nutrition expert Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, told TODAY Food that while these may be healthier choices than other menu items, we still need to watch the sodium levels and drink enough water to counteract all that salt.

How do you make Olive Garden healthier? ›

Choose Wisely from the Menu

When perusing the menu at Olive Garden, it's important to make mindful choices. Look for options that are rich in nutrients and lower in calories, saturated fat, and sodium. Some healthier choices to consider include: Opt for a salad with vinaigrette dressing on the side.

What is Olive Garden's best selling soup? ›

Zuppa Toscana – Olive Garden Copycat (VIDEO) Zuppa Toscana is Olive Garden's most popular soup. This one-pot, homemade Zuppa Toscana recipe is hearty and loaded with Italian sausage, kale, bacon and potatoes.

What is the healthiest soup to eat on a diet? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

What are the top 10 healthiest dinners? ›

10 Simple Dinner Ideas for Healthy Eating in Real Life
  1. Stuffed sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are loaded with beneficial nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber ( 1 ). ...
  2. Grain bowls. ...
  3. Veggie loaded frittatas. ...
  4. Dinner salad. ...
  5. Loaded brown rice pasta. ...
  6. One-pot soups. ...
  7. Curry. ...
  8. Burgers.
Jun 30, 2021

What is the number 1 healthiest fast food restaurant? ›

Coming in on top as the healthiest fast food restaurant was Little Caesars.
  • Little Caesars.
  • Starbucks.
  • Dairy Queen.
  • McDonald's.
  • Subway.
  • Taco Bell.
  • Arby's.
  • Dunkin' Donuts.
Mar 9, 2021

What Chinese food is healthy? ›

Healthy Chinese food takeout sides include steamed brown rice, sautéed or steamed vegetables, spring rolls, soups, and veggie-based items like edamame, lettuce wraps, or salads.

What should I order at a restaurant to lose weight? ›

Whether you're eating at home or in a restaurant, your meal should include a mix of non-starchy veggies (like broccoli, spinach, or zucchini), lean protein (like chicken, fish, beans, or lean red meat), complex carbohydrates (like whole grains, sweet potato, or whole-wheat pasta), and healthy fat (like olive oil, ...

What can I eat besides salad to lose weight? ›

  • Asian Pesto Chicken Noodle Stir Fry.
  • Loaded Sweet Potatoes.
  • Gluten-Free Homemade Pizza Bowls.
  • Vegan Quinoa and Kidney Bean Burgers.
  • Moroccan Lentil Stew.
  • Chicken and Wild Rice Soup.
  • Easy Peasy Pasta.
  • Sweet Potato Chilli.
Jan 17, 2024

What olive variety is healthiest? ›

Kalamata olives are rich in oleic acid, a type of MUFA linked to improved heart health and cancer-fighting properties. They're also a good source of iron, calcium, copper, and vitamins A and E.

What is the highest calorie dish at Olive Garden? ›

Here are the six unhealthiest items on the Olive Garden menu by calorie count and fat content; when in doubt, take half to go!
  1. #1 Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara.
  2. #2 Chicken Alfredo. ...
  3. #3 Tour of Italy. ...
  4. #4 Spaghetti with Italian Sausage. Calories: 1,410. ...
  5. #5 Steak Gorgonzola-Alfredo. Calories: 1,380. ...
  6. #6 Chicken Scampi. Calories: 1,310. ...
Oct 21, 2014

What is the healthiest fast food option out there? ›

  • Subway Turkey Breast Sandwich. ...
  • Domino's Thin-Crust Pizza With Chicken and Veggies. ...
  • Chipotle Burrito Bowl. ...
  • Panera Bread Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken. ...
  • Panda Express Eggplant Tofu. ...
  • Starbucks Rolled and Steel-Cut Oatmeal. Starbucks. ...
  • Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap. Chick-fil-A. ...
  • Starbucks Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Egg Bites. starbucks.
Feb 14, 2024

Are green or black olives better for weight loss? ›

In detail. As noted, the fat content of both is different. Thus, the percentage of fat in black olives is 29.8 while that of green olives is 16.7. Therefore, the caloric value of the green ones (167 Kcal per 100 grams) is much lower than that of the black ones (299 kcal).

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Tish Haag

Last Updated:

Views: 6353

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tish Haag

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

Phone: +4215847628708

Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.