How to order healthy options at Olive Garden, as recommended by registered dietitians.

Eating out while being mindful of your diet and portion control can be difficult.

Today, there is an abundance of excess sodium, concealed sugars, and oversized portions, along with social pressures to share appetizers and indulge in dessert.

When dining out, it's important to have a pleasurable experience and a delicious, fulfilling meal.

A balanced meal that you enjoy and eat to a comfortable fullness is healthy, according to Amy Reynolds, a Virginia-based registered dietitian and founder of Nutrition Therapy & Wellness Co.

Dietitians recommend specific Italian-American dishes and ordering tips at Olive Garden.

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to Olive Garden for comment.

Pasta fagioli

Pass the pasta and beans, please.

Michelle Rauch, a registered dietitian nutritionist for The Actors Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey, often chooses this delectable soup.

Rauch stated that the Pasta Fagioli on the Olive Garden's menu is one of the healthier options, with only 150 calories per serving, and it is packed with white and red beans, making it filling.

Incorporating beans into your diet can aid in weight management because they are low in calories and high in fiber, which promotes feelings of satiety and reduces overall calorie intake, as she stated.

She stated that beans are a great source of plant-based protein and are rich in vitamins and minerals including magnesium, iron, folate, potassium, and zinc.

Grilled chicken margherita with breadsticks

Numerous food bloggers have been inspired by the grilled chicken margherita at Olive Garden to create copycat recipes, allowing people to enjoy the meal at home.

Reynolds stated that this dish contains all the necessary elements for a meal, including Olive Garden's delicious breadsticks.

The breadsticks supply carbohydrates, which are our body's primary energy source; the chicken offers protein; the broccoli and tomatoes provide fiber; and the oil used for cooking contains sources of fat.

Stick to one or two breadsticks to avoid overindulging on carbs.

Shrimp or chicken scampi

Reynolds recommends this dish as a balanced, healthy option at Olive Garden, with shrimp or chicken scampi being another option.

"Carbohydrates are found in pasta, protein is provided by shrimp or chicken, vegetables offer fiber, and the sauce completes the meal with fat," she stated.

Another smart tip is to box up half the portion as soon as it arrives.

If you're ordering dinner portions, shrimp scampi has fewer calories and less sodium than chicken scampi.

Herb-grilled salmon

As a Detroit-based registered dietitian and owner of the blog Moderately Messy RD, Alex Evink stated that salmon is a healthy and nutritious menu option that is one of the only foods high in omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.

Consuming EPA/DHA from fish twice a week may improve cardiovascular health, lower the risk of chronic diseases, and reduce cognitive decline, she emphasized, adding that the salmon is served with broccoli, a rich source of fiber and antioxidants.

To save on excess calories and fat, you can either ask your server to hold the garlic herb butter atop the salmon or scrape some of it off before eating.

Any soup and salad (with or without breadsticks)

If you're unsure, opt for a soup and salad combo at Olive Garden.

Olive Garden's soups are nutritionally balanced and include protein, carbohydrates, fat, and fiber, according to Reynolds. He suggests pairing the soup with salad for added nutrients and contrasting texture.

Go easy on the dressing or ask for it on the side.

You can control the amount of pouring over your greens to keep them healthier.

Reynolds advised that if one finds that enjoying breadsticks enhances their experience, they should have it as well, as it is vital to our well-being to genuinely enjoy the foods we eat.

Instead of eating multiple breadsticks, try sharing one with a dining companion if you're craving more.

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