If you have ever heard of Olive Garden and wondered what to eat there on a ketogenic diet, you are not alone. There are so many different options available that it can be hard to choose, especially if you are new to the low-carb eating lifestyle. You should try to avoid fatty foods, and opt for lean proteins and vegetables instead. The menu also includes a lot of gluten-free dishes, such as gluten-free pastas and desserts.
Zuppa Toscana soup
Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana soup is a classic and a favorite menu item. However, it is not keto friendly. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make it low carb. One of the best is using cauliflower instead of potatoes.
This version of the soup is loaded with flavor, and the ingredients are simple. The smoky bacon gives it a salty edge. Served with a side of keto garlic bread or cheddar bay biscuits, you’ll have a delicious keto meal.
Aside from cauliflower, you’ll also need kale, Italian sausage, and red pepper flakes. These are traditional ingredients in this delicious soup, and they add a bit of protein to your meal.
In addition to these low-carb ingredients, you’ll also need chicken broth. The broth will deglaze the bottom of the pot and help dislodge any browned bits. Once the vegetables are tender, you’ll add heavy cream.
Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana Soup is creamy and hearty. You’ll love it on a chilly night. It’s also perfect for breakfast. If you don’t want to serve a lot of food, you can freeze it for up to three months.
Zuppa Toscana can be served in one serving, or you can portion out the soup for later use. It’s best reheated over low heat.
Olive Garden’s Zuppa is packed with protein, fat, and fiber. Fortunately, you can create a keto version that’s just as filling, and even more delicious.
Herb Grilled Salmon plate
The Olive Garden Herb Grilled Salmon is one of the most popular menu items at the chain. It’s a simple recipe that is easy enough for weeknight dinners, and it’s elegant enough for a special occasion.
A great meal for keto diet lovers, it’s also easy to make at home. If you’re short on time, you can even cook it on the grill. And the health benefits are plenty.
Salmon is a nutrient-rich fish, and the flavors of fresh herbs and lemon juice add a zesty twist. For a healthier version, try substituting a small amount of olive oil for the butter.
Olive Garden has a few options for keto dieters. They also offer a few gluten-free choices. One of their most popular dishes, the Herb-Grilled Salmon, is a healthy choice that’s served with parmesan-garlic broccoli.
The pasta options at Olive Garden are plentiful. Zoodles primavera with grilled chicken is a tasty low-carb option. In addition, the Create Your Own Pasta section lets you choose what you want.
You can also order a soup, but keep in mind that they have 13 grams of net carbs in the serving. Another option is to order a house salad without the croutons.
A quick check on the Olive Garden website will give you the nutrition information you need. While you may not be able to customize your order, this information will give you a good idea of how much you’re likely to consume.
Gluten Sensitive 6 Ounce Sirloin
The Olive Garden Gluten Sensitive 6 Ounce Sirloin is a great way to get your Italian fix on a gluten-free diet. It is a classic Italian dish made with non-gluten rotini pasta and a meat sauce. A side of your choice is also included.
This 6 oz steak is a perfect combination of flavors. It is low in fat and contains 46 grams of protein. In addition, it is surprisingly filling for its size.
If you’re not into the meat, you can also try one of the many salads on offer. Their Famous House Salad is a good choice if you’re looking for something light and healthy. You can even opt for steamed broccoli if you want to be a little healthy.
For the gluten-free crowd, there are also a few dishes to choose from. Olive Garden’s gluten-free pasta is made from brown rice flour, which is grain-free. They also use a separate sanitized kettle to cook their spaghetti. This helps to minimize the risk of cross contamination.
Another notable item on the menu is the Herb-Grilled Salmon. Not only is it gluten-free, but it’s also the only entrée on Olive Garden’s gluten-sensitive menu.
While there’s no way to be sure that all of the foods you’ll find at an Olive Garden are gluten free, you can rest assured that there are plenty of choices on the menu.
Salad selection
Olive Garden has a wide variety of salads, side dishes and pastas. The menu includes soups, vegetarian and vegan options, as well as meat and vegetable dishes. If you’re on a keto diet, you may find Olive Garden to be appealing. However, you will need to keep track of your carb intake. It’s also a good idea to have some snacks, including a cup of fruit, in case you get hungry.
If you’re on a keto diet, make sure to order a house salad without croutons. This is the best way to save your carbs. You can also try to add extra protein.
A grilled salmon fillet is another low-carb option. This fish has a thin crust on the top, which adds flavor. Other great choices include avocados, basil, blue cheese and eggs. Served with a delicious side of parmesan garlic broccoli, it’s easy to enjoy a healthy meal from Olive Garden.
While Olive Garden has a variety of dishes, its salads are a bit limited. You can always ask for a side salad, but you will need to watch the carb counts of the toppings.
Some of the menu items are high in fat and carbohydrates, especially the sauces and dressings. These may contain sugar, milk, refined sugars, preservatives, or additives. Using oil and vinegar may be better, though.
One of the most popular items at Olive Garden is its soups. These are some of the creamiest soups around. They are made with cream, broth, and other ingredients.
Low-carb alternatives to pasta
The Olive Garden restaurant menu has a variety of pasta options. However, some of them aren’t suitable for ketogenic diets. Instead, they may contain refined sugars and preservatives. You can still enjoy your favorite pasta dishes by choosing low carb alternatives.
Zoodles are the perfect low carb alternative to pasta. These noodle shapes are made from zucchini and carrots. When they’re cooked, they lose their fibrous texture, absorbing the sauce’s flavor. They also contain lots of vitamins and minerals.
Portobello mushrooms are another noodle alternative. This meaty mushroom has a chewy texture and an umami flavor. It’s also a good source of vitamin E.
Another pasta alternative is mung bean vermicelli. You can purchase it fresh or frozen. It has 43 grams of total carbohydrates per serving.
Another option is pasta made from almond flour. Almond flour has 1.6 grams of carbohydrates and zero net carbs. Whole-grain pasta is lower in calories and contains fiber. Choosing whole-grain pasta can help you avoid the added risk of weight gain associated with too many carbohydrates.
If you’re looking for a low carb meal, the Herb Grilled Salmon plate is a great choice. It features grilled salmon fillet topped with garlic herb butter. For a more ketogenic option, you could also order the Tuscan sirloin. Served with steamed broccoli, this dish is ideal for those on a low carb diet.
Low-carb desserts
When you are looking to go out to Olive Garden, there are a lot of things you have to keep in mind. You need to know how much carbs and calories are in everything you order. Also, be sure to ask your server if they have a low-carb option.
While most of the dishes you see on the menu at Olive Garden have a significant amount of carbs, you can still find a few options that are low-carb. Some of these include minestrone, salads, and soups.
Minestrone is a vegetable-based soup with shell pasta and a light tomato broth. It is a great option if you are trying to cut carbs.
Another popular soup at Olive Garden is the Zuppa Toscana. It contains 2 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein per serving. It is also a good option if you are a vegetarian. The soup is low in fat and contains a good variety of vegetables.
Olive Garden’s house salad is another low-carb choice. This large serving of greens has no added sugars, croutons, or carbs.
If you are going to Olive Garden, you may want to ask your server for a carb-free oil and vinegar dressing. Olive Garden’s regular Italian dressing is two carbs per serving.
Other low-carb options include Olive Garden’s grilled chicken. This dish is served with broccoli and is a great choice for a keto diet.
