What to order at an Italian restaurant

Tracking tip: Search for a specific restaurant’s menu item first; if it’s not in the database, track a similar dish from a different restaurant.

1. Top basic pastas with 1 tbsp grated parm and red pepper flakes to add extra flavor for just 1 Points value.

2. Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or veggies to any pasta to grow your 1-cup portion for 0 extra Points—or get veggies in place of a pasta side.

3. If given a choice, go with hollow pasta like penne; a serving appears larger compared to solid noodles and saves 1 Points value per cup.

4. Love creamy pasta? Vodka sauce—marinara with cream, butter, and vodka—is only 5 Points per ½ cup versus Alfredo’s 16.

5. When ordering chicken dishes (parm, marsala, piccata), ask for grilled chicken in place of the standard breaded and fried.