Olive Garden Vs Cheesecake Factory Fettuccine Alfredo: Which Is Actually Healthier?

Both Olive Garden and Cheesecake Factory offer fast-casual dining with a wealth of options. Whereas Olive Garden is skewed towards Americanized Italian-inspired fare and Cheesecake Factory has a massive menu offering just about everything under the sun, both chain restaurants serve a lunch and dinner portion of fettuccine Alfredo. Putting the dinner-sized pasta dishes head to head, Olive Garden's is actually healthier than Cheesecake Factory in a number of important ways.

By the numbers, Cheesecake Factory's fettuccine Alfredo has 1,930 calories to Olive Garden's 1,220. With regard to total fat, saturated fat, and trans fat, Cheesecake Factory's dish has 128 grams, 78 grams, and 4.5 grams to Olive Garden's 89 grams, 55 grams, and 2 grams, respectively. The two are evenly matched with 285 milligrams of cholesterol each; however, Cheesecake Factory's offering has around twice the amount of both sodium and carbohydrates as Olive Garden's.

A dinner of Cheesecake Factory's creamy pasta contains more than 2,500 milligrams of sodium compared to Olive Garden's version, which has 1,210 milligrams. Comparing carb content, Cheesecake Factory has 140 grams to Olive Garden's 78 grams. Overall, Olive Garden is the healthier choice, but there are a few areas in which Cheesecake Factory's fettuccine Alfredo has an advantage.

If you're pressed for time or lack the energy to make your own fettuccine Alfredo, treating yourself to a night out at your favorite restaurant can be a delightful indulgence. Either of these fettuccine Alfredo dishes can be part of a healthy diet, depending on your own personal needs. Notably, when it comes to both protein and dietary fiber, Cheesecake Factory's meal (pictured on the right) actually outperforms Olive Garden (pictured on the left). The former has 6 grams of fiber to the latter's 3 and, similarly, almost twice as much protein, with 50 grams to 27 grams.

Fans have long wondered what gives Olive Garden's Alfredo sauce such an irresistible edge. Though this may not differ much from Cheesecake Factory, the not-so-secret addition is cream. Both restaurants also offer fettuccine Alfredo with protein-rich toppings. Cheesecake Factory offers shrimp and chicken options, while Olive Garden allows you to add sausage, meatballs, mushrooms, broccoli, or fried shrimp. Its menu also includes a spicy Alfredo dish, seafood Alfredo, and shrimp or chicken Alfredo styles too.

Choosing the right dish for you will come down to a matter of personal tastes and dietary needs. Checking the nutritional guides prior to dining will help you to make more informed choices to best please your palate. Whichever Alfredo dish you pick is sure to satisfy.