The first day, and I already get nowhere with checking to see if my substitutions are okay. I am allergic to raw bananas and to green bell peppers, don't prefer most Mexican foods, lean toward Chinese food (inconsistently), and feel that fat-free cheese tastes like a pencil eraser. I am also fighting diverticulitis, or whatever the little balloons on the intestines are called. Without other assistance, I will likely only log what I did eat, including calories & total fat figures (when available) only, although tracking fiber should likely help, too. If the pills give me diarrhoea once I start, too bad. They thereby force the client into a fat-free diet. Ideally, I ought to be able to enter a substitution, have it instantly judged for its appropriateness, and thereby have the day's planned diet done.

You don't have to follow the Sample Menus precisely.   It's fine for you to make your own menus -- as long as they contain the recommended amount of calories and fat for your level + a variety of foods for good nutrition.

The Sample Menus can also provide a good idea for how to distribute calories and fat throughout the day, and some ideas for food choices.  You can feel free to substitute regular cheese, and just include the appropriate amount of calories and fat.  There are lots of different ways to get to the right amount of fat and calories.

The recommended diet for diverticulitis is one that's balanced and high in fiber.   Not unlike the alli diet...

I highly recommend the Nutrition Log because it gives accurate feedback not just about calories and fat, but other nutritents like sodium and calcium, AND fiber.  For instance, many people (as you'll see in the posts) are astonished to see how much sodium they eat each day, and look for ways to modify that.

I hope this helps.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian