So far I haven't had much trouble sticking to the low fat, low calorie portion of the diet.  The trouble I'm having is that I keep exceeding the allowed amount of sodium - and I haven't even picked up a salt shaker!!  Is anyone else having this problem?  Any suggestions?

Melissa 

 

YES!  I have been searching the forums to see if anyone else was having this problem.  I am going way over on sodium.  I have been using salsa as an alternative to salad dressing, so that doesn't help, but otherwise not eating anything way out there.  Staying well below on Fat and at or below on calories.

Does anyone know if this will reduce my chances of losing weight? 

Salsa is a good alternative to salad dressing.  I make mine without salt.

1 small red onion chopped, 1-3 large tomatoes chopped, 1/2 cup of chopped fresh cilantro,1 clove of garlic chopped, 1/4 tsp pasilla chili, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and the Juice of 1 large lime.  Toss together  Enjoy

 

Salsa is a good alternative to salad dressing.  I make mine fresh and salt free. Try this. 

1 small red onion chopped, 3 large tomatoes chopped, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 tsp each of Pasilla and Cayenne pepper, The juice of 1 large lime.   Toss together and enjoy!

I would like to know this as well.  Before seeing this post I posted about it but it was never approved.  My sodium is way off.  I have completly stopped using salt.  I have had low fat meals.  I dont know what else to do

Hi Melissa,

Many people have a difficult time with following a weight loss plan and lowering their sodium intake. I think that it is hard enough to change your eating without having to worry about your sodium. Initially, losing weight is more beneficial to your health than lowering your sodium would be. Even people with high blood pressure have better improvements in their pressure from their weight loss than they would just lowering their sodium intake. My recommendation for you would be to keep avoiding the salt shaker and buy low sodium foods when available. Fresh foods will have less sodium than processed, but if the processed food is helping you stay on track right now stick with it. Unless you have a medical reason for the restriction, your sodium can stay where it is for a while.

Does this make sense to everyone who posted about this topic?

Betty Kovacs, MS, RD

Yes, thanks!  I asked my Dr. about it too, and he said I didn't need to be overly concerned.  I am taking in too much, but it is really more of a problem for people with heart or kidney issues.  I am pretty healthy, other than the weight and some aches and pain that I attribute to the weight. 

Thanks for the reply!

I've had the same problem. I've figured out it takes a lot of thinking to eat healthy!! lol

Yes, Thank you!!!

 Sally

I applaud your interest for trying to stay within your recommended sodium (salt) amounts. Here are some suggestions: Salt has no direct effect on the action of alli, but keeping your salt intake to a healthy limit is a good practice the alli plan recommends. The alli diet complements the DASH diet in that it is low in fat, concentrates on incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet, and encourages a healthy eating style. However, some of the recipes do call for salt and canned ingredients, which tend to be higher in sodium than fresh foods. You can follow the alli recipes or your own recipes as long as you avoid salt, use low-sodium stocks, and rinse canned goods. There is a number of salt-free seasonings available in the supermarket today that are delicious. Read all the Nutrition Fact Labels for hidden salt; which is found naturally in many foods or added to many popular products. Hope this helps! Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD, LD, CPT

I have gained 3 lbs since I started, I was already following a low fat/low calorie diet of my own, however since I started Alli I purchased alot of no fat products.  I never exceed my limits, but I was not keeping track of my sodium...where is that information? I must have missed it.  I'm thinking that is where this gain is coming from.  I have had FF pringles, FF cheese, FF ham, FF dressing, FF cottage cheese etc....

OK, I am soooo glad this came up in the search for sodium.  I use the nutrition log and I have been doing GREAT for my daily totals on everything except calcium and sodium.  Thank you Betty for your response about worrying more about the fat right now than the sodium.  I think that I may be having a problem because of the number of "processed" foods I currently use.  I actually stayed withing the limits today since I am cooking dinner tonight - but the "deli" meats and the bread, cereal, etc. I use are all full of sodium.  I never realized how much sodium I was taking in!  No wonder my hands swell and my fingers look like little sausages when I walk outdoors in the heat, lol!   The ability to track the nutrition information has really opened my eyes.  I also think I'm going to have to get a calcium supplement as well.....hmmmmm any suggestions for a good one?

thanks,

cj