After the long day I had yesterday (getting up early to swim, running errands, dentist, job interview, work) it was an easy “yes” when Michael suggested we go out to eat by the mall and then do some shopping.
After extensive internet research about the calories at the mall restaurants, I suggested Olive Garden. It’s been years since I’ve eaten there. I’m not usually fond of chain restaurants but that’s all I had to choose from.
The waitress offered us free tastings of their house red to decide if we wanted some. Oddly, she poured us both half a glass. While I’m certainly not complaining…I’m pretty sure a taste isn’t half a glass. 😉
I decided to order one glass of the red. So essentially I had 2 servings of wine (because of the free “taste” AND she topped off our glasses after we drank some). Score one for the waitress!
Michael wanted to order the artichoke spinach dip. He said it was amazing. We both agreed it didn’t hold up to memory. It was pretty blah if you asked me.
I agonized over the menu; looking up the desired entrees on my iPhone to see what the calories were. Then I saw on the menu that the servers can get complete nutritional info. I asked for it. She brought the complete nutritional guide for the menu and I was SHOCKED.
Why? Because the calories were soooo LOW. Low?! At a chain restaurant?! I am so baffled.
For example, according to their guide the Artichoke dip was 650 calories. Split between two people that’s not too bad.
The bread-sticks were 150 calories each. (Thankfully Michael kept them at his end of the table.)
Some of the lower-calorie options:
Venetian Apricot Chicken = 380 calories
Seafood Brodetto = 480 calories
Chicken Parmigiana = 570 calories
Ravioli di Portobello = 450 calories
Penne Rigate with Marinara = 560 calories
Tiramisu = 510 calories
Pretty impressive right?
The more high-end options calorie wise:
Spaghetti and Italian Sausage = 1270 calories
Pork Milanese = 1510 calories
Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara = 1440 calories
I took a double take. How is that possible that ravioli was so low? I wondered how accurate the numbers were…but then they couldn’t publish LIES, right?
I ordered the Cheese Ravioli with the salad.
The ravioli was on the bland side. It needed garlic and maybe more meat in the meat sauce. But for 660 calories I’m happy!
I ate most of the ravioli and saved the rest for lunch (plus 1 bread-stick).
Michael got the Lasagna Classico for 850 calories.
I had a bite of his lasagna and it was much more flavorful than my ravioli. We both agreed it needed garlic though.
I’m really happy with the restaurant experience–even if the food was rather bland. It was better than I could have made at home and low in calories. I’m still impressed with that.
I ate some dessert. 😉
Then Michael and I went shopping. First: Target.
Michael Jammin' Out
Then to REI where I walked out with these:
$25 goggles for $16. They claim to be leak free. I’ve yet to find a pair of swimming goggles that don’t leak. The awesome thing about REI–I can return them even after I wear them in the water! Looking forward to my swim this weekend to try these babies out.
I got home and showed Fat Kitty his (early) Yule present.
“IS THAT FOR ME!?”
“OPEN IT MOM!!!”
“AND GIMME CATNIP!”
Fat Kitty went to town with his new toy and I went to bed!
QUESTION: What chain restaurant do you like that offers healthier menu options?
steff (steffsays)
i swim with Aqua Sphere Seal XP Lady goggles. they are definitely the best i have ever used. they are big and goofy looking but they have an excellent seal and only leak if i change my facial position drastically from like coughing or smiling or something. and while they do leave a pretty serious red goggle mark around the face it’s much better than the black eye/broken blood vessels i was getting from my traditional speedo googles.
have fun!
Lisa Eirene
I have really old goggles that fog right now but if I have them on really tight they don’t leak. I always have red marks too!
Aj
I hate to burst your bubble but I remember reading something a few years back that the calorie counts at restaurants, particularly chain restaurants, is off. The calorie counts are based on portion sizes when made in the test kitchen and those portions tend to be much larger when served in actual restaurants. When actual portions were assessed in a lab by an independent company, they were found to be hight. However, the counts are a very good way of determining the healthiest choices – because you can compare each dish and assume that the counts are off about equally. Obviously being off of a count one (or a few) days is not going to “ruin” anything, I think the very practice of counting influences choices for the better even if the exact count is off, and I’m not sharing this to upset you. It just may be something to keep in mind for future trips.
Lisa Eirene
I was wondering about that too…like were the calories based on a whole serving? That’s good to know!
Jane
Aj is right. The article was pretty critical of chains that served pastas because the amount served was never the amount of a portion – it was often three times the amount. The dressing and sauce counts in the test kitchen are greatly reduced compared to the amounts poured on to the dishes at the restaurants.
On the positive side, I love having the information available to me when dining so I can make the better choice.
It also pays to be aware that ingredients in your food choice may not be apparent. For instance a steak may have one calorie count in the test kitchen but the test kitchen may not be aware that the chef actually bastes it in butter as it is finished in the pan. Hidden calories are all over the dining out experience.
Lisa Eirene
So true!! I was skeptical of the menu and calories listed…I’m still skeptical. But I feel like I made a good choice. After all, ALL of calorie counting is really a guessing game!
Aj
PS PF Chang’s has calorie counts online (for what they’re worth) and there are some dishes that are not so bad…and vegan!
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations
Panera Bread is one of my favorite places. I usually go with the half sandwich/ half salad option and can eat a whole meal for under 700 calories. That’s not bad at all.
Lisa Eirene
Yep Panera was my second choice based on calories.
Julie
I use the TYR Hydrovision goggles and LOVE them. I think you kind of have to have a rounder face, but my kids even use mine and we never leak!
shelby @ eatdrinkrun
My cats have the double-wide version of that scratcher. It is the most coveted spot in the entire house to sleep. I’m not kidding…they fight over it. A freaking piece of cardboard.
I wish they would use it for scratching – instead of sleeping on the scratcher and scratching on my couch! Bad kitties!
Lisa Eirene
Bad kitties!!
I had the double wide version until they destroyed it. Time for a new one! My cats LOVE that thing. It’s so bizarre. They shred it and claw it to bits. Sleep on it. Sit on it. It’s like the throne in the living room!
Amy B @ Second City Randomness
I’m really picky about spinach dips and such- I prefer them so much more when they’re homemade!
I love Jason’s Deli (I know it’s not everywhere, but it’s a lot like McAlister’s if you’ve ever heard of it). They have lightened options of a lot of their sandwiches, and they have no problems customizing your order!
Lisa Eirene
That’s the kinda restaurant I like. I love being able to make healthier substitutions.
Jennifer is Always Sick
First, the title seriously made me LOL.
But regard to the question, we go to Chilis a lot, but it’s not because of the nutritional value or the low calories or healthy aspect of the food – I doubt any of the food falls into any of those categories. But we go there because it’s close to our house and they have allergy menus for all the major food allergies, viewable and printable from their site, and it’s updated monthly.
Macaroni Grill has the same thing, as does On the Border. I think all three are owned by the same company.
Outback is good too. They have a gluten free menu, some basic food allergy info on their site, and the servers are usually really great about special requests. We’ve actually had managers prepare our meals to ensure there was no cross contamination.
I haven’t tried Olive Garden in awhile. Not since we found out about our egg allergies. I’m not sure it’s a safe option for us, but I used to love eating there.
Lisa Eirene
The Chilis in Oregon closed! I was bummed. Their black bean burgers are good.
MizFit
it seems as tho at most places we can MAKE healthy options by getting creative—-EXCEPT for olive garden 🙂
I have to speed up and pass that place by…
Sasha
Chain restaurants are off limits for me and my husband. Even if the amount of calories are acceptable, he’s worked in enough kitchens to know that the water for their pasta is absolutely loaded with salt and the way their food arrives from their purveyors is pretty much pre-packed, pre-prepared, processed and loaded with sodium. I understand they have to have uniformity between restaurants but you’re sacrificing flavor and freshness. It’s just…yuck.
Lisa Eirene
I feel the same way!!
Veggies, Cake and Cocktails
I haven’t had Olive Garden in such a long time. I love their salad!
I really like some of the sandwich shops around me. Like Potbelly’s and Jason’s Deli. They have lighter options and you can basically tell them exactly what you want and they will accomadate.
Lisa Eirene
As a general rule I don’t like chain restaurants. I’d much rather go to a mom and pop restaurant.
Anonymous
nice post. thanks.