I just started alli and was wondering how pinto beans would fit into the diet. My boyfriends mom is hispanic and makes wonderful homemade mexican food. I know that the refried beans are a no-no but she makes pinto beans from scratch cooked in just water and salt. Can I eat that? Where can i find nutritional info on stuff made from scratch? Also she makes carne asada on the bbq, i know its not lean meat but it is very thin, i was thinking that cut up and put into a salad would be ok? Im really looking for a website or something where you can put in the portions and kind of food and they will give you nutritional info- does this exist? Thank you!

You can buy the refried beans in cans that are fat free, I use it at least once a week they are very good.

I just looked at your info..the weight. Thats great. I have been on the plan for maybe 2 1/2 weeks. Only lost 4 pounds. How are you doing it. Do you go to the gym? I dont know if Im at the right level.I do watch what I eat and keep track of everything. I also bought some stuff to work out with at home. How soon did you start to notice anything. I mean the scale might say one thing. But you or others might not notice. aND there are the oh wow you look great.I also look at all the labels. And if there is something i like, like the bean, i go and get fat free, or reduce items. Im just looking for some tips. And I FIGURE iLL ASK you since you are doing a really good job.

                                                          thanks, Rosi

Thanks Rosi, I have been on Alli for a year now.  I didn't work out for the first 6 months due to a knee problem.  I am now riding an exercise bike 3 to 5 days a week for 30 minutes and doing a little strength training the other days.  My weight loss has slowed quite a bit, which is to be expected, but I am still loosing inches even when I don't drop pounds. 

I started noticing weight loss when I could finally zip my jeans without laying on the bed, lol.  about 3 to 4 weeks for me.  Others really didn't say anything until I came out of my winter coat in April.  Since then I have been getting daily comments and compliments.  My favorite is being called "slim" and "skinny".  Which I am FAR from at this point, I guess compared to what I was  I am!

I am a label reader, I always go fat free if possible and if I like it, which most stuff I do.  The reason is there are those few items that are high fat that I keep in my diet because I really love them.  Avocado, peanut butter, mayo (I use Hellman's canola - good fat)

I always shoot for the high fiber varieties of food.  Ice cream (sugar free fudgesicle has 3 to 5, Lite honey wheat bread, 4g for 2 slices, Fiber one and All bran cereal and bars, up to 12g, pasta, 6g, tortillas 11g, english muffins 8g, water 10g, yogurt 4g,) and there are other items.  I eat lot of watermelon, strawberries and FF chips.  I get between 35 - 45 grams of fiber daily, but you have to make sure you work up slowly and get plenty of water!

Basically what I have done is find or create high fiber and low fat foods and recipes that I think taste as good as the full fat version.  It has worked very well for me.  I even make desserts every week (usually cheese cake or pineapple cake) but sometimes brownies.  Sugar free and fat free or close to it. 

Let me know if you have any questions or need suggestions.  Good luck!