Hi, I just started with the Alli plan but right-away one of my problems is the cooking.  I've never really done any cooking and I was just looking at my meal plan and I need all these different ingredients for every meal. I would be up for the challenge of preparing these items (some of them look quite good) but the problem is if I use 1/3 Avocado, what do I do with the rest?  If I use 1/3 can of refried beans then I'm just supposed to throw the rest away? I can't just purchase materials, take them home, use a tiny bit then throw the rest away but the meal plan just calls for a bit of this or that and the following items on the menu never take into consideration what ingredients you have on hand from the previous dishes.  So the perishables just perish. This would be hugely expensive and a total waste.  Should I just not pay attention to the meal plan and buy prepared foods that are low in calories and fat or is there someway to cook my own meals that is inexpensive and mindful of waste?

It's fine to make you're own menus and/or use your own recipes.  The Sample Menus are meant to be used as is -- or as a guide for how to plan your calories and fat throughout the day.

The key is to have those calories and fat + a variety of foods.  No everyone on alli is a cook and many of those who are not have done really well!

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

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian

 It does help.  Thank you for respoding!  I will use the menus as a guidline to form my own easy prep meal plan through-out the day keeping in mind to have the same calorie/fat ratios.  So I guess that means I can do Subway for lunch!?

 Yes, you can absolutely have Subway for lunch.  You can also check McDonald's grilled chicken salads; or grilled chicken sandwich or even a burger.

All of the quick service restaurants have their nutrition information on line so you can check before you go and choose what works best for you calorie and fat level.  For instance, here's the link for McD's:

http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/nutrition_facts.html

Glad the previous post was helpful.  Let me know if you need more.

Pat

 Awesome, Thanks!!

You're welcome!

Pat

 Hey I was reading over your post and thought I'd give you a lil tip if you dont mind. My husband and kids arent so keen on "low fat" foods if they know what it is.If you get my drift. SO I frequently cook 2 differnt meals and it was becomming old real fast due to time and clean up. I went out and bought these ziplock steamer bags.These things rock! They are so simple to use and the food taste awesome! What I do is grab a meduim sized bag and put 3-4 oc of chicken breast it it that has been seasoned with what ever dry rub you want.Like lemon pepper or the mc cormic specialty ones.They all taste pretty good. Then I cut up half and onion and half a bell pepper and throw in a bunch of white mushrooms that have been cut in half.I kind give the bag a few swishes to mix everything up and pop it into the microwave for 6 or 7 minutes. I put it over a serving of brown rice. This is good really. Itf not tough chicken leather tasting either. You can try other variations with meat and veggies.Then there is no need to waste.Just buy a few different veggies and meat.Seperte your meat into portion sizes and freeze it so its already on hand and there will be no waste. Try different veggie combos. It woul dhelp save you time and money and fill you your belly.

chick_guitarist:

 Hey I was reading over your post and thought I'd give you a lil tip if you dont mind. My husband and kids arent so keen on "low fat" foods if they know what it is.If you get my drift. SO I frequently cook 2 differnt meals and it was becomming old real fast due to time and clean up. I went out and bought these ziplock steamer bags.These things rock! They are so simple to use and the food taste awesome! What I do is grab a meduim sized bag and put 3-4 oc of chicken breast it it that has been seasoned with what ever dry rub you want.Like lemon pepper or the mc cormic specialty ones.They all taste pretty good. Then I cut up half and onion and half a bell pepper and throw in a bunch of white mushrooms that have been cut in half.I kind give the bag a few swishes to mix everything up and pop it into the microwave for 6 or 7 minutes. I put it over a serving of brown rice. This is good really. Itf not tough chicken leather tasting either. You can try other variations with meat and veggies.Then there is no need to waste.Just buy a few different veggies and meat.Seperte your meat into portion sizes and freeze it so its already on hand and there will be no waste. Try different veggie combos. It woul dhelp save you time and money and fill you your belly.

This is a GREAT idea!  I'm really glad to hear these bags are so good -- and easy to use.  You've inspired me to give them a try!

Not sure if you're making the rice each time -- but I can tell you that rice freezes beautifully.  So you can cook up a big batch, freeze it in single servings, and pop in the MW when ready to use.

Pat

 What I do is make enough for 3 meals if it call for 1/3 of this or that . The I put the other 2 meals  in a vaccuum seal bag and freeze it and then on the days I don't feel like cooking there is still a healthy meal already prepared. It works really well and there is no wasted food. I hope this helps

Samechitdifday72:

 What I do is make enough for 3 meals if it call for 1/3 of this or that . The I put the other 2 meals  in a vaccuum seal bag and freeze it and then on the days I don't feel like cooking there is still a healthy meal already prepared. It works really well and there is no wasted food. I hope this helps

That's a wonderful idea too!  A great way to use extra ingredients, and a great way to have something good to eat when you're tired -- and not resorting to eating something you'll be sorry about later! :o)

Pat