Hello, I read the posted messages concerning why I need to reach my fat gram and calorie goals. Yet, I am having a difficult time eating all that my 1800 calorie plan requires. In order to reach the goal I would have to eat when I am not hungry (just for the sake of getting in 1800 calories).

I have tried to customize my own meals instead of cooking the specific planned meals. I have still come below the recommendation.  I would like to follow the plan as closely as possible. However, I don't want to have to buy a huge amount of food that fits in with the recipes. One problem that I have is that I know the calories/fat that each meal requires, but I don't know the number of proteins, starches, etc. Is there any place on the site that will give me a break-down of those numbers per meal?

Also, what do you suggest concerning my inability to consume so many calories/fat per day?

Confused

 Here's a few suggestions for you: first of all you can drop a level (or two at most).  Some people have mentioned their calorie level is too high.  However, it's important that you follow the amount of calories and fat at the level you are at so Alli can do the best job for you. 

Unfortunately, there's not a way to change the log to a level different than the recommendations from the Personal Calculator -- but we're working on that! 

Try the 1,600 level and 1,400 if 1,600 still feels like a lot, though I think you'll be fine there.  Check p. 20 of the Companion Guide included in the Starter Kit for levels of calories and appropriate amount of fat for each.

If you check the Sample Menus in the Healthy Eating Guide - also in the starter Kit - you'll find menus for each of the levels + the exchanges for each of the foods included.  Remember, you don't have to eat the precise foods on the Menus.  You can develop your own menus with similar types and amounts of food.

I hope this helps.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian 

Dear Confused,                                                                                                                   I had the same problem, with all the fat free products on the market, since I started Alli; I was not getting even 1/2 or my allowed fat grams. I have had to retrain myself, to get rid of the notion that fat free is always best.  I would use egg beaters instead of eggs, skim milk, fat free everything from Jell-O, cool whip, mayonnaise, margarine, bread, well you get the picture.  I have been on ALLI for about 6 weeks and have lost 12 pounds.  I have decided that for the next few weeks, anyway, I am going to enter what I plan to eat in my nutrition log(before I prepare & eat it) and if it has too few fat grams, I will add fat. I will use real eggs instead of egg beaters, I will use regular margarine, I will use regular bread, I even added a 1/2 peanut butter & sugar Free strawberry jelly sandwich to eat with my regular lunch, all to add fat grams. By the way PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY SANDWICHES ARE MY DOWNFALL. IF I EAT ONE I USUALLY EAT THREE. So I will have to watch it on this. Maybe it will help me to fight the craving. Usually I will stay away from this temptation of mine until I explode, (By explode, I mean, eat 3 of them).  By the way, I plan to stay within my 1600 calorie limitations also.                           Hope this helps,                                                                                                                                                  Linda

Weightless:

 

Thank you for the reply. I'm sorry that I didn't reply sooner.

Pat