Gretchen Scalpi, RDN

Early last week First Lady Michelle Obama gave her support to Darden Restaurants, the parent company of mega-chains Olive Garden and Red Lobster, following their announcement about making healthful changes in all of its restaurants menus.  Darden announced plans to reduce calories and sodium by 10% over the next five years, and by 20% over the next 10 years. Children’s menus will have fruits or vegetables as side dishes, and an 8-ounce glass of 1% milk is already the included beverage.  Other Darden chain restaurants also include LongHorn Steakhouse, the Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52.

The increased attention to the obesity epidemic has made chain restaurants and fast food establishments take a second look at their menu  and pledge to make improvements in nutritional content.  From a public relations standpoint this makes sound business sense in the current climate. The changes could potentially benefit the consumer, and that is a step in the right direction.  But, I have to wonder how much difference a 10% in reduction in sodium and calories will actually make?  Take Olive Garden for as an example:   Classic Pasta entrées range from 550 to 1450 calories, and between 810 – 3830 mg. of sodium.   If you take 10% off an average entrée choice like Lasagna Classico at 850 calories and 2830 mg. of sodium, just how much is that 10% going to save?  After you deduct the 10% from this menu item it will have 765 calories  and 2547 mg. sodium .  For many, this would  exceed  caloric needs for a meal, and it is in excess of the recommended daily sodium intake for adults.

Of course any change that helps us consume less calories or sodium is helpful, and I applaud Darden for starting to make changes.  However, aside from the fact that it’s going to take a period of 5 years  to accomplish the task, a 10% reduction in sodium and calories will probably not make much difference.  What sounds like a big improvement, is really a slight improvement.  When dining out,  it’s still going to come down to the consumer being informed and mindful of the food choices they make.

Tags: Red Lobster, reduce calories