Understanding Portion Size Differences in Lunch vs Dinner at Olive Garden

Understanding Portion Sizes at Olive Garden

When dining out, it can be challenging to eat healthy while still enjoying your meal. Portion distortion is very common at restaurants, with lunch and dinner plates often containing way more food than needed. Olive Garden is no exception when it comes to large portion sizes. However, with some smart choices, you can enjoy Olive Garden while still maintaining healthy portion control.

Lunch Portions vs Dinner Portions at Olive Garden

In general, lunch entres at Olive Garden contain slightly smaller portions compared to dinner entres. For example, a lunch serving of chicken parmigiana contains around 700 calories. The dinner portion of the same dish is around 1,030 calories. However, just because a meal is labeled as a "lunch" portion does not necessarily mean it is a small, healthy option.

Some Olive Garden lunch plates still pack a caloric punch and are almost as large as dinner plates. For example, the lunch portion of chicken alfredo is 1,070 calories while the dinner is 1,440 calories. So the difference is only around 400 calories despite being a lunch vs dinner serving. When looking at the healthier options later in this article, pay attention to the actual calorie counts rather than just the meal labels.

Typical Dinner Portions

A typical Olive Garden dinner plate contains around 1,000 - 1,500 calories. Some examples of popular dinner entrees and their calorie counts are:

• Chicken parmigiana - 1,030 calories
• Chicken alfredo - 1,440 calories
• Cheese ravioli - 1,160 calories
• Shrimp scampi - 1,170 calories

As you can see, it's very easy to consume your entire daily allotment of calories in just one meal at Olive Garden. Their trademark salad and breadsticks also bump up the calorie count.

Typical Lunch Portions

The calorie count of Olive Gardens lunch plates averages around 700-1,100 calories. Some examples include:

• Rigatoni with meat sauce - 860 calories
• Spaghetti with meatballs - 810 calories
• Chicken parmigiana - 700 calories
• Chicken alfredo - 1,070 calories

While the lunch portions may be smaller than the dinner sizes, some are still pretty high in calories. Choosing healthier options from the lunch or dinner menu is key.

Healthier Menu Options at Olive Garden

Sticking to lower calorie dishes at Olive Garden for lunch or dinner can help prevent overeating. Here are some of the best options that are under 650 calories:

Herb-Grilled Salmon

A lunch order of herb-grilled salmon with vegetables is one of the lightest options at just 550 calories. For dinner, the salmon entre is 720 calories.

Grilled Chicken Margherita

Order this tasty grilled chicken dish with a side of broccoli instead of pasta for just 480 calories at lunch. The dinner serving ups the count to 670 calories.

Vegetable Caprese

Skip the pasta and order this vegetarian plate with a side salad for a light lunch or dinner. The entire meal contains only 480-650 calories depending on your salad dressing choice.

Herb-Roasted Chicken

Herb-roasted chicken with veggies or soup makes for a filling, lower calorie meal. Its 570 calories for lunch or 750 for dinner.

Lighter Italian Fare

There are also lighter takes on classic Italian dishes such as a lunch caprese ravioli with marinara at 460 calories or spaghetti with marinara sauce at 500 calories. Have it with a salad and skip the breadsticks.

Tips for Making Healthier Choices at Olive Garden

If you want to enjoy Olive Garden without going overboard on calories, here are some helpful tips:

Order Lunch Portions When Possible

The lunch plates generally have smaller portions with 100-400 fewer calories than dinner entrees. Just beware of especially caloric pasta dishes in the lunch menu like alfredo.

Pick Vegetable-Based and Lean Protein Entrees

Dishes that focus on veggies and lighter proteins like chicken tend to be lower in calories than heavy pasta and cheese-based plates.

Start with Soup or Salad

Fill up initially on the low-calorie Olive Garden soup or a healthy salad with light dressing. This can prevent overeating on the higher calorie entree.

Share an Entree

Split one entree between two people. Not only does this reduce your individual calorie intake, but it also saves money!

Mind Your Breadsticks

Olive Gardens famous breadsticks clock in at around 140 calories each. Just one or two will add significantly to your meals calorie total.

Choosing healthier menu options and implementing portion control is key to enjoying Olive Garden without overindulging. Focus on lighter proteins, vegetables, and tomato-based sauces over heavy pasta and cream-based dishes dripping in cheese. With some mindful modifications, you can still get your Italian fix!

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.