How Many Calories Are in Olive Garden’s Herb Grilled Salmon?

Salmon is well known as a healthy and nutritious fish that is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids With rising rates of obesity and other diet-related health issues, more and more people are trying to make better food choices and watch their calorie intake If you find yourself at Olive Garden and are trying to make a healthy selection, you may be wondering just how many calories are in their popular Herb Grilled Salmon entrée. Read on for a detailed breakdown of this dish’s nutrition facts.

An Overview of Olive Garden’s Herb Grilled Salmon

Olive Garden’s Herb Grilled Salmon is part of the restaurant chain’s “Lighter Italian Fare” menu, indicating it is one of the lower-calorie options This dish features a fresh Atlantic salmon filet that is lightly seasoned and grilled. It is topped with the restaurant’s signature Italian herb blend and lemon butter sauce

The Herb Grilled Salmon is served with a side of veggies – either fresh steamed broccoli or seasoned zucchini. Depending on your preference, you can request either veggie or even ask for a side salad instead. This provides some customization so you can tweak the meal to suit your tastes and dietary needs.

Calories and Macronutrients in Olive Garden’s Salmon Entrée

Most people are primarily concerned with the calorie count when looking at nutrition information. So how many calories are actually in Olive Garden’s Herb Grilled Salmon entrée?

• A 6-ounce Herb Grilled Salmon filet contains 320 calories
• A side of steamed broccoli adds 30 calories
• A side of zucchini with seasoning has 25 calories

So in total, if you order the 6-ounce salmon with a veggie side, your meal will range from 350 to 375 calories, depending on if you choose broccoli or zucchini. This makes it one of the lower-calorie entrees on the Olive Garden menu.

In addition to calories, let’s look at some of the key macronutrients:

• Protein: 32g
• Fat: 16g
• Carbohydrates: 4g

The protein and healthy omega-3 fats in the salmon make this a very nutrient-dense choice. The lighter lemon butter sauce also adds flavor without too many extra calories from fat or carbs.

Comparing Calories to Other Olive Garden Entrees

To put the Herb Grilled Salmon’s calories into context, let’s compare it to some other popular Olive Garden entrees:

• Spaghetti with Meat Sauce: 720 calories
• Chicken Parmigiana: 1140 calories
• Lasagna Classico: 1060 calories
• Braised Beef and Tortelloni: 1080 calories
• Shrimp Alfredo: 1110 calories

As you can see, most classic Italian pasta dishes at Olive Garden contain nearly triple the calories of the Herb Grilled Salmon. The salmon has one of the lowest calorie counts among all lunch and dinner entrees. Choosing this fish dish over heavy pastas, breaded chicken, or saucy shrimp is a great way to cut calories without sacrificing flavor.

Tips for Reducing Calories Even Further

If you want to cut even more calories from the Herb Grilled Salmon dish, there are a few easy tweaks you can make:

• Request the 4-ounce salmon filet instead of 6 ounces to save 80 calories
• Opt for a side salad with light dressing rather than broccoli or zucchini to shave off an extra 10-25 calories
• Ask for the lemon butter sauce on the side and use sparingly to reduce fat and calories
• Avoid any bread, soup, or appetizers to prevent extra calorie intake
• Stick to water as your beverage to avoid hundreds of additional drink calories

Making one or more of these simple modifications allows you to enjoy Olive Garden’s popular salmon dish as part of a well-balanced, reduced-calorie meal.

Nutritional Pros and Cons of Olive Garden’s Herb Grilled Salmon

Like any dish, Olive Garden’s salmon entree has both nutritional pros and cons. Here is a quick overview:

Pros:

• High-quality protein from salmon
• Rich in omega-3 fatty acids
• Lower in calories than many menu options
• Vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, minerals
• Lemony sauce adds flavor without many extra calories

Cons:

• Lemon butter sauce is high in fat
• Farm-raised salmon may have less omega-3s than wild-caught
• No whole grain carbohydrate included
• Side veggies are lightly sauteed in oil
• Low fiber content overall

While not perfect, the herb grilled salmon is still one of the healthiest entrees available at Olive Garden, especially if you are limiting calories. Be mindful of any extras added to the plate to further improve the meal’s nutrition profile.

Final Thoughts on Olive Garden’s Herb Grilled Salmon Calories

When dining at Olive Garden, ordering the Herb Grilled Salmon is an excellent choice if you are watching your calorie intake. With only 350-375 calories including a side veggie, it is one of the lowest-calorie entrees on the menu.

Choosing this flavorful salmon over any creamy pasta dishes or breaded meats can easily shave off several hundred calories from your meal. By customizing your order with a lighter sauce or salad side, you can further reduce the calories and increase nutritional value.

Overall, Olive Garden’s salmon plate makes it easy to enjoy the tastes of classic Italian cuisine while still sticking to your healthy eating plan. Knowing the full nutrition details allows you to feel confident that you are making a diet-friendly selection at a restaurant chain often filled with indulgent temptations.

The Olive Garden Herb-Grilled Salmon contains approximately 460-610 calories, according to Olive Garden and MyNetDiary.