Olive Garden is a popular Italian-American chain restaurant that is well-known for its delicious pasta dishes, breadsticks, and soups. However, if you are following a keto diet, you might think that Olive Garden is off-limits. Fortunately, that’s not entirely true. With a little bit of creativity and knowledge, you can still enjoy Olive Garden’s flavorful Italian cuisine while staying true to your keto diet.
How Olive Garden meets Keto?
In this article, we’ll show you how Olive Garden meets keto, and the perfect combination it creates.
Understanding the Keto Diet
Before diving into Olive Garden’s keto-friendly options, let’s briefly understand the keto diet. The diet known as the ketogenic diet helps the body to enter the state of ketosis since it is low in carbohydrates and rich in fat. Your body uses fat reserves rather than the glucose from carbs when you are in a state of ketosis. In the direction of achieving ketosis, your daily intake of carbs should be around 20-50 grams, depending on your body weight and activity level.
Keto-Friendly Options at Olive Garden
When dining at Olive Garden on a keto diet, avoiding high-carb dishes such as pasta, breadsticks, and desserts is essential. Instead, focus on dishes that are rich in healthy fats and protein, such as:
1. Grilled Salmon
The omega-3 fatty acids & excellent protein quality are both abundant in salmon, making it a perfect keto-friendly option at Olive Garden. You can order grilled salmon with asparagus, which is low in carbs and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
2. Chicken Margherita
Chicken Margherita is a flavorful dish that combines grilled chicken with fresh mozzarella cheese, basil, and tomato sauce. It’s a low-carb option that’s also high in protein and healthy fats.
3. Zoodles Primavera
Zoodles are a fantastic keto-friendly alternative to traditional pasta. They are made from zucchini and are low in carbs and calories. At Olive Garden, you can order Zoodles Primavera, which is a dish that includes zucchini noodles, sautéed vegetables, and a creamy sauce made with Parmesan cheese.
4. Grilled Steak
Grilled steak is an excellent keto option that’s rich in protein and healthy fats. You can order a steak with a side of grilled vegetables, which is a low-carb and fiber-rich choice.
5. Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Scampi is a classic Italian dish that is low in carbs and high in healthy fats. It’s made with shrimp, garlic, butter, and olive oil, which are all keto-friendly ingredients.
Tips for Staying Keto at Olive Garden
Apart from choosing keto-friendly dishes, there are a few other tips to keep in mind when dining at Olive Garden on a keto diet:
1. Ask for substitutions
Most restaurants, including Olive Garden, are willing to make substitutions to accommodate dietary restrictions. For example, you can ask for a side of vegetables instead of pasta or a salad with olive oil and vinegar dressing instead of a high-carb dressing.
2. Skip the breadsticks
Although Olive Garden’s breadsticks are delicious, they are also high in carbs and can quickly kick you out of ketosis. To resist temptation, ask the waiter not to bring breadsticks to the table.
3. Stick to water or unsweetened tea
Sodas and sweetened beverages are loaded with sugar and carbs, so it’s best to avoid them altogether. Instead, stick to water or unsweetened tea.
4. Choose dressings wisely
Some of Olive Garden’s salad dressings, such as the Italian dressing and the vinaigrette, are keto-friendly. However, others like Ranch dressing, are high in carbs. Always ask the waiter for the nutritional information or ingredients of the dressing before ordering.
5. Share a dish
Olive Garden’s portion sizes are notoriously large, so consider sharing a dish with a friend or family member. This way, you can still enjoy the restaurant’s delicious food without overindulging or exceeding your carb limit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Olive Garden meets keto, and the combination is perfect for anyone following a low-carb, high-fat diet. With a little bit of planning and knowledge, you can enjoy Olive Garden’s flavorful Italian cuisine while sticking to your keto goals that confirm olive garden meets Keto. Always remember to choose keto-friendly dishes, make substitutions, skip the breadsticks, and stick to water or unsweetened tea. Bon appétit!
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