Olive Garden’s famous breadsticks are a fan favorite appetizer. They come hot out of the oven, brushed with garlic butter, and sprinkled with parmesan cheese. But what if you want to enjoy these tasty breadsticks without the extra calories from butter? Here’s a breakdown of the nutrition facts for Olive Garden’s breadsticks without added butter.
Nutrition Facts for Olive Garden Breadsticks
According to Olive Garden’s website, here are the nutrition facts for one regular breadstick without added butter:
| Serving Size | 1 breadstick (43g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Fat | 2.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 320mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 25g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 2g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Calcium | 4% DV |
| Iron | 8% DV |
As you can see, a single Olive Garden breadstick without added butter contains 140 calories. The majority of those calories come from carbohydrates. There are 25g total carbs, with 2g coming from sugar.
Calories from Fat vs. Carbs in Breadsticks
When looking at the calorie breakdown, the breadsticks without butter have very little fat. There are only 2.5g total fat in one breadstick without butter. Compare that to the 25g of carbs, most of the calories come from the bread itself rather than the small amount of fat.
This makes sense when you consider that breadsticks are made from flour, water, yeast, and salt. The dough is simply baked with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese on top. Without the added butter, the small amount of fat comes mostly from the cheese.
How Many Calories in Breadsticks with Butter?
Olive Garden typically serves their breadsticks warm out of the oven, brushed lightly with garlic herb butter. This butter adds additional fat and calories. According to Olive Garden, here are the nutrition facts for one breadstick with garlic butter added:
| Serving Size | 1 breadstick (46g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 160 |
| Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 5mg |
| Sodium | 340mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 1g |
| Protein | 3g |
With the addition of garlic butter, the calories jump up to 160 per breadstick. The fat increases to 6g, with 2g saturated fat. So the butter adds approximately 20 extra calories and 3.5g more fat per breadstick.
How Many Calories in Unlimited Breadsticks?
Part of the appeal of Olive Garden’s breadsticks is that they are unlimited. You can request as many warm, freshly baked breadsticks as you want with your meal. So how many calories could you consume if you really took advantage of the unlimited breadsticks offer?
Let’s say on average, most people eat around 3-5 breadsticks as an appetizer and with their entree. Here’s a look at the calories for different amounts of breadsticks:
| Number of Breadsticks | Total Calories Without Butter | Total Calories With Butter |
|---|---|---|
| 3 breadsticks | 420 | 480 |
| 5 breadsticks | 700 | 800 |
| 10 breadsticks | 1,400 | 1,600 |
| 15 breadsticks | 2,100 | 2,400 |
As you can see, the calories add up quickly if you take full advantage of the unlimited offer! Just five breadsticks with butter would equal 800 calories, about 40% of a typical 2,000 calorie diet.
Tips for Reducing Calories
Here are some tips if you want to enjoy Olive Garden’s tasty breadsticks while reducing the calorie count:
Ask for breadsticks without butter
This eliminates about 20 calories and 3.5g fat per breadstick. Spread the butter yourself and use a lighter amount.
Dip breadsticks in marinara sauce
Marinara sauce has around 80 calories per 2 oz serving. It adds flavor without as much saturated fat as butter.
Share an order of breadsticks
Split an order with the whole table. You’ll still get the taste but less calories overall.
Opt for thinner breadsticks
Olive Garden occasionally offers thin breadsticks with fewer calories than the regular size.
Conclusion
Olive Garden’s unlimited breadsticks can definitely add extra calories, especially if eaten in large quantities. Without butter, one breadstick contains about 140 calories. With butter, the calories jump to 160 per breadstick. To lighten them up, ask for no butter and dip in marinara sauce instead. Sharing an order is also a great way to satisfy your breadstick craving without overdoing the calories. While unlimited breadsticks are tempting, being mindful of portions can help keep your appetizer from turning into a full blown cheat meal!