Enjoying Lasagna While Managing Carbs at Olive Garden
Olive Garden is beloved for its unlimited freshly baked breadsticks and hearty Italian classics like lasagna. But as a popular chain restaurant, some menu items can be high in carbs and calories. As part of an overall balanced diet, lasagna can still be enjoyed at Olive Garden by those aiming to manage their carb intake.
The Allure of Lasagna
With its savory meat sauce, creamy béchamel, noodles, and melted cheese, lasagna has an undeniable appeal. At Olive Garden, customers can choose from traditional meat lasagna as well as vegetable and chicken options. While the carb counts may seem high compared to low-carb diets, there are tactics for enjoying lasagna without overdoing it on carbs.
Olive Garden Lasagna Nutrition Information
According to Olive Garden’s online nutrition calculator, one serving of their classic meat lasagna with marinara sauce contains around 49g net carbs. Their vegetable lasagna has 53g net carbs, while the herb-grilled chicken lasagna has 45g net carbs. These fall within the daily moderate carb intake of 130g for a 2,000 calorie diet.
Strategies for Managing Carbs with Lasagna
If you want to enjoy lasagna while controlling carb intake, here are some tips:
Stick to a Single Serving
Olive Garden portions are extremely generous. Sticking to just one cup of lasagna leads to 45-53g carbs. This single serving still provides that indulgent lasagna flavor without overdoing the carbs for the entire day.
Pair with Low-Carb Sides
Balance out the lasagna carbs by pairing it with lower carb sides like salad, broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini fries. An Herb-Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad has just 12g net carbs. Substitute vegetable broth for creamy soup options.
Limit Breadstick Baskets
Olive Garden’s garlic breadsticks can derail carb counts quickly. Just one breadstick has 14g carbs. Limit bread intake to just 1-2 breadsticks or opt out completely to save carbs for lasagna.
Take Half Home
Immediately pack half the lasagna away to enjoy later at home. This controls portion size to around 25g net carbs for one sitting. Bonus - you have a ready-made second meal!
Low-Carb Swaps to Consider
If limiting an entire entrée to a single cup proves unsatisfying, try these menu swaps:
Shrimp Scampi
Opt for the ultimate low-carb swap - Shrimp Scampi. At just 5g net carbs without sides, it lets you really splurge on breadsticks.
Grilled Chicken Parmigiana
With around 26g net carbs, the Chicken Parmigiana still provides that classic Italian flavor in lighter form. Pair with low-carb accents.
Chicken Margherita
The herb-grilled chicken tops zucchini noodles instead of pasta for just 9g net carbs per serving. Add a side salad for a very low-carb meal.
Fitting Lasagna into a Low-Carb Lifestyle
When following a program like the ketogenic diet, consuming under 50g net carbs daily is common. In these cases, restricting lasagna intake to 25g carbs or swapping it occasionally for Shrimp Scampi or Chicken Margherita allows room for non-starchy veggies and other low-carb foods.
Low-carb lasagna options also exist by substituting veggies for noodles. While Olive Garden does not offer this, the lasagnaflavor can be replicated at home with fewer carbs using varieties like those made with zucchini, eggplant, or spinach.
Moderation for Overall Health
Research on specific carb intakes provides mixed guidance, indicating more nuance is required for overall health. While processed carbs and added sugars should be limited, some higher carb menu items like lasagna a few timesmonthly may fit into an otherwise balanced routine.
Rather than extreme restriction, focus on getting plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, fiber and practicing moderation by allowing yourself the occasional indulgent traditional lasagna from Olive Garden.
FAQs
What are some of the lowest carb entrees at Olive Garden?
Some of the lowest carb entrees at Olive Garden are Shrimp Scampi at 5g net carbs, Chicken Margherita at 9g net carbs, herb-grilled salmon at 5g net carbs, and cucumber-tomato caprese flatbread at 12g net carbs.
Can I order lasagna with zucchini noodles from Olive Garden?
No, Olive Garden does not currently offer low-carb lasagna options made with vegetable noodles. However, you can try their Chicken Margherita which serves zucchini noodles with grilled chicken.
Is a single breadstick very high in carbs?
One breadstick from Olive Garden contains 14g of net carb grams. So while not extremely high for one breadstick, it can add up quickly if you eat multiple or pair it with higher carb dishes.
What are some low-carb side dish options?
Some lower carb side dishes you can request at Olive Garden include steamed broccoli, grilled asparagus, salad without croutons, roasted cauliflower, and zucchini fries. These make good pairings for higher carb entrees.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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