Satisfying Cravings: A Close Look at Calories in Olive Garden’s Lunch Shrimp Scampi

As a passionate foodie who adores Italian cuisine, I can’t resist indulging in Olive Garden’s creamy and garlicky lunch shrimp scampi from time to time. It truly satisfies when I’m craving seafood drowned in that signature buttery wine sauce. However, I also care about eating healthy, so I like to pay attention to calories and nutritional content.

In this article, we’ll dive into the complete nutrition facts and calorie count for Olive Garden’s lunch portion shrimp scampi. My goal is to give you the details you need to enjoy this indulgence in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.

An Overview of Lunch Shrimp Scampi Calories

Let’s start by looking at the big picture calorie count. according to Olive Garden’s posted nutrition information

• A single lunch order of shrimp scampi contains 670 calories in an approximately 10 oz serving size.

That’s certainly on the higher side for a single lunch dish As we analyze further, we’ll uncover where those calories come from

Breaking Down the Nutrition Facts

To better understand the sources of those 670 calories, we can break down the full nutrition facts:

• Total fat: 36g – Providing 324 of the calories (48% of total)
• Saturated fat: 18g – A very high 90% of recommended daily value
• Cholesterol: 170mg – 57% of daily limit
• Sodium: 1,830mg – Additionally high at 76% of daily recommendation
• Total carbohydrates: 54g – Making up 216 calories (32% of total)
• Dietary fiber: 2g – Just 8% of daily needs
• Sugars: 3g
• Protein: 29g – A moderate protein amount at 116 calories (17% of total)

With nearly half the calories coming from fat, it’s clear the shrimp scampi’s rich, creamy sauce drives up the calorie density. The carbohydrates largely come from the pasta.

The Impact of Butter and Olive Oil

Two key ingredients in shrimp scampi that contribute to the high fat and calorie content are:

• Butter – Olive Garden uses a butter-garlic sauce, with each tbsp of butter containing 100 calories.

• Olive oil – Even healthy oils like olive oil contain 120 calories per tbsp, which adds up.

The combination of butter and olive oil gives this dish its signature flavor, but also stacks on the calories.

Comparing to Other Olive Garden Menu Items

To put the 670 lunch shrimp scampi calories in context, we can compare to a few other popular Olive Garden menu items:

• Fettuccine Alfredo – 1,010 calories
• Chicken Parmigiana – 850 calories
• 5 Cheese Ziti al Forno – 580 calories
• Soup & Salad Combo – 360 calories

While certainly indulgent, the shrimp scampi actually comes in lower than some of Olive Garden’s other cream and cheese-laden dishes. Choosing lighter options like soup and salad can help balance out the meal.

Strategies to Fit Shrimp Scampi into Your Diet

Despite its rich, calorie-dense nature, there are ways to enjoy Olive Garden’s lunch shrimp scampi more healthfully:

• Split into multiple meals – The 10oz portion can be split into a satisfying lunch and dinner.

• Pair with veggies – Adding steamed broccoli, asparagus or a side salad boosts nutrition.

• Opt for whole wheat pasta – Choosing whole grains over white pasta can provide more fiber.

• Watch breadsticks and dessert – Resist overdoing it on free unlimited breadsticks or indulging in dessert.

• Share with a friend – Splitting one order controls portions.

• Balance physical activity – Schedule a workout like running or cycling to offset extra calories.

• Treat yourself only occasionally – Enjoy this indulgence in moderation as a special splurge.

The Verdict on Olive Garden’s Lunch Shrimp Scampi

At 670 calories, Olive Garden’s lunch portion shrimp scampi certainly qualifies as an indulgent splurge. But enjoyed occasionally and in sensible portions, it can be part of an overall balanced diet. By implementing strategies like splitting into multiple meals, pairing with vegetables, and avoiding overindulgence in breadsticks or dessert, we can keep this special treat from derailing daily nutrition goals. Moderation is the key to satisfying cravings for shrimp drowning in garlic butter!