Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Olive Garden & Red Lobster Cut Calories For Michelle Obama
By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Sep 15, 2011
Modified Sep 15, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Sep 15, 2011
Modified Sep 15, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Olive Garden, home of unlimited breadsticks, and Red Lobster, purveyors of fine cheddar biscuits, are shaping up at Michelle Obama's request.
As part of the First Lady's campaign to end childhood obesity, the restaurants have agreed to cut sodium and fat on their menus by 20 percent over the next decade, and to make healthy sides the default on the children's menu. Think less fries and more apples, a la the recently revamped McDonald's Happy Meals.
"With this new commitment, Darden [the parent company of the restaurants] is doing what no restaurant company has done before,” said Obama at a press conference today. "I believe the changes that Darden will make could impact the health and well-being of an entire generation of young people." There has been no word yet on whether Olive Garden will stop serving toddlers alcohol as part of the initiative.
Tagged
chain restaurants
childhood obesity
fat
health
Michelle obama
olive garden
red lobster
sodium
Jamie Feldmar
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Sep 12, 2026
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
Food
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Can a congressional candidate's dumpling diplomacy win over Queens’ immigrant communities?
By
Caroline Shin
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .