I sent an email to Olive Garden’s guest relations department, asking them for more complete nutritional information. I received a reply from Erich, in their guest relations department. Here is Erich’s reply:
Dear Troy:
Thank you for visiting olivegarden.com.
At this time we do not provide a nutritional analysis on most menu items. A Garden Fare(r) Nutrition Information Guide can be found on our web site under “Our Menu,” or by clicking on the following link:
http://www.olivegarden.com/menus/garden_fare/
Many of these menu items meet U. S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines for low fat content. The information guide also includes nutrition information for our menu selections that contain less than 20 grams of carbohydrates.
We appreciate your interest in having a range of options from which to choose when dining at Olive Garden and we hope our enhanced Garden Fare menu provides you with the choices that meet your needs.
Erich
Olive Garden Guest Relations
So I guess that sums it up. A disappointing response, to say the least. Unfortunately, their response was a lot like most other restaurants- “We don’t want you know what you’re eating, but enjoy the food!” Maybe the National Association of Attorneys General should get together and pursue a class action lawsuit. The restaurant industry isn’t a whole lot better than the cigarette industry when it comes to full disclosure.
4 Comments
Basically, the only way to be sure of what you’re eating is to do your own shopping, read labels and fix it yourself. Can’t really be lazy and healthy at the same time.
@Brenda:
I agree with you. Truly the best way to eat healthy is to do it yourself. However, there are times when you don’t have time (traveling) or dine out for a special occasion. It’s for those times that I think restaurants should be forthcoming about nutritional content of their dishes. For me, it’s a customer service issue. I don’t really think it’s a matter of being lazy vs. being healthy.
I agree with Troy. To me it is not being lazy as much as it is a customer service issue. If I as your customer would like to know what it is your feeding me you should be forthcoming about it.
This is crazy. It is our right as a consumer to know exactly what we are eating. After a hour of searching the internet, I still cannot find how much kcals are in the Tour de Italy. Even McDonalds has their nutritional facts on the tray papers. I don’t know if I will ever give Olive Garden my business again.