Hi Pat, I was hoping you could answer a question for me.  My doctor wanted me to go on an 800 calorie diet and the quidelines for that are: 75g carbs, 55g protien, 30g fat for daily totals.  I increased to closer to a 1200 cal diet when I started alli, because I was hungry on 800!  What I would like to know is this, I know the calorie intake (1200), I know the fat intake (12g per meal) what are my total carbs supposed to be for a 1200 calorie diet?  I feel I may be getting too many carbs, and I know my specific problem with weight is carbs.  Can you help on this please?

Thank you so much, in advance...

Marlene (potwee)

Is there a chance you can speak with your doctor about alli?   You can let him/her know that alli takes a graduated approach - starts with more calories (than 800) and reduces them as weight loss occurs - and uses a diet similar to the American Heart Association and the American Diabetic Association.  That breaks out to 30% total calories from fat, about 20% protein and 50% carbohydrate.  The emphasis is on whole grains, fruits and vegetables and less refined carbohydrates.

Yes, I can work the numbers, if you like.  I'd encourage you to go with the recommendations of the alli Personal Calculator and focus more on fat and calories -- the rest will work itself out from there -- if your doctor approves.

Let me know what you think of that and we'll go from there.  If you'd like to start a new thread on the board just put "Pat, please read" in the subject line and I'll reply.  Otherwise, I'll continue to check this thread.

Pat

 Hi,

Forgive me if you've already covered this, but I don't have the time to read through 300+ posts...

I started Alli one week ago under the compromise with my husband that I won't drink wine/beer/alchohol in general since that was where most of my calories were coming from.  I've been tracking what I'm eating, and I can't seem to break past 25 grams of fat per day, or 1,000 calories/day.  I simply don't eat that much, and I have a 1yr old who I keep on a healhty & balanced diet, so I don't keep a lot of high fat foods in the house.  I'm afraid that my body might go into starvation mode and hold onto the 40lbs that I'd like to get rid of.  What do you suggest?  Beef up my meals, eat more snacks??  TIA.

The makeup of the alli diet is 30% total calories from fat, about 20% protein and 50% carbs.  That's similar to the diet of the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association.

Have you mentioned to your doc that you're starting alli.  If not, I suggest you do and that the calorie level is higher than he/she recommended -- and that it will be lowered as weight loss occurs.

I think it's important to start at the alli recommended level.  We never start lower than 1,200 and by beginning at that level it doesn't leave any room for change.  Hopefully, your doc will approve.

In answer to your question the 1,200 cals would be 38 grams of fat, 150 gram of carb and 64 grams protein.

I hope that helps.

Pat

 I've noticed a lot of clients having a hard time reaching those fat gram goals.  Wouldn't it be better to switch to "low-fat" options instead of NO FAT?  It has better flavor plus adds fat.

Yes, we often recommend that people use regular or LF items instead of FF or LF when they're having trouble reaching their fat goals.

Pat

I am having a difficult time reaching 15 grams of fat in each meal. Especially at breakfast. I am making an effort to up my fat grams but breakfast is really difficult. I started Alli last Sunday & have had no effects & I need to lose 65 lbs.

Suggestions for breakfast w/o going overboard?

Thanks,

Kim

Welcome to alli.  It's a great Program and I'm sure you'll do well. 

Like any other new skill alli takes a little practice so try to be patient for a bit until you get in the swing of things.  You can add some nuts to cereal, or use regular or LF milk instead of FF, peanut butter on toast or bagel etc.  You might also have a grilled cheese sandwich; or have some slice avocado on toast.

Also take at look at the Sample Menus for your level.  You don't have to follow the menus precisely, but they're a nice guide for how to distribute calories and fat throughout the day.

I hope this helps.  Please let me know if you need anything else.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian

 Betty, I am simply looking to chat with some gals in the same boat as myself and this website seems very user unfriendly to me.  Please tell me how to just click on somewhere to chat with someone each morning as I start my day dieting with Ali.  I have spend more than an hour trying to figure out this website. Can you help? Cheri

Now I can't even figure out how to send this question. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!  Where is the send button?????????????

kfraaza:

 Betty, I am simply looking to chat with some gals in the same boat as myself and this website seems very user unfriendly to me.  Please tell me how to just click on somewhere to chat with someone each morning as I start my day dieting with Ali.  I have spend more than an hour trying to figure out this website. Can you help? Cheri

Now I can't even figure out how to send this question. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!  Where is the send button?????????????

There's no question that each website takes a little time to figure out.  Frustrating, I realize.  Once you "play around" on myalli.com I think you'll find it has many nifty and easy features.

To get a daily chat with another alli user (I assume that's what you want), check the "forums" section and click on "Personal Experiences".  Then you can post "Looking for daily chat" in the subject line; then give a little on what you're looking for and see if you can get someone to connect with.

You can also go to allicircles and add this request to your profile. 

I hope this helps.

Pat

 I'm trying to find out why when checking in this week that it ask if i had stayed within the 1200 calorie limit and 14gm fat.  My initial goal was 1400 calorie and 15-17 fat gm.....Am I missing something?  Am I suppose to be decreasing my goal limits?  thank you, BJP

bsyghana:

 I'm trying to find out why when checking in this week that it ask if i had stayed within the 1200 calorie limit and 14gm fat.  My initial goal was 1400 calorie and 15-17 fat gm.....Am I missing something?  Am I suppose to be decreasing my goal limits?  thank you, BJP

I'm not sure how long you've been on alli, but I know that as weight declines the calories and fat will be reduced at some point along the way.

Perhaps your level changed and you didn't realize it.  If you think there's an error in the system I suggest you post on the Technical Assistance Message Board and have them check.

I hope that helps.

Pat

 If I am not getting 15 grams of fat per meal and that is my target, do I need to start reaching that? I thought I could stay under that and still be ok.

start2losenow:

 If I am not getting 15 grams of fat per meal and that is my target, do I need to start reaching that? I thought I could stay under that and still be ok.

You'll get your best results having the recommended amount of calories and fat each day.  Go up and read the first few posts on this message board for more on why it's so important.

Basically, alli works on it's ability to lock fat, so little or no fat = little or nothing to block.

Hope that helps.

Pat

Hi I started Alli this morning and only had 1 gram of fat in my meal.  I know I should have had more, but I'm a college student and I didn't have time after the gym to make anything before class so I had a bowl of cheerios with skim milk and an apple.  My stomach is feeling really awful.  I can't decide if I am going to get sick or not.  But I was wondering if taking the alli pill with two few fat grams could have bad side effects like this?

Thank you!!

(sorry if this is in the wrong board, I didn't know the best place to put it)