Foods to Avoid While Taking Alli

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 1 year ago · 8 min read

Alli is a miracle drug for those who want to lose weight. It is very effective in helping you lose weight when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle. However, there’s just one catch—you have to avoid certain foods while taking it.

But why is this? Alli contains an active ingredient called Orlistat. Alli is the only over-the-counter medication that contains Orlistat. This ingredient keeps your body from digesting some of the fat you consume. However, eating too much sugar and fat can cause you to experience unwanted problems. 

According to WebMD, studies have found that Alli can help you lose more weight than dieting alone. This drug was designed for adults over the age of 18 who are on a low-calorie and low-fat diet. According to experts, it is important to talk with your primary care physician before you start taking Alli. He or she will be able to give you advice on how to use this drug and modify your diet for it to be effective.

When taken as directed, Alli can help you lose 50 percent more weight than you would if you just exercise and eat right. Alli is the first weight loss pill that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. For Alli to be effective, it’s important to eat only healthy foods when you feel hungry. If you take Alli and decide to eat out, you should only eat lean proteins, instead of red meat. Choose fish, chicken, and turkey. These foods should be steamed, instead of fried.

You should also avoid any fatty condiments, such as mayonnaise and salad dressings. Instead of eating these, you can eat low-fat versions of these foods or flavor your food with healthy spices.  You should avoid all types of grease and French fries. Soups are allowed, as long as you eat broth-based soups, instead of cream-based soups. It is imperative to follow a healthy diet while taking Alli. If you do not, you are more likely to experience side effects, such as gas, stomach pain, and bowel urgency. 

According to PubMed, obesity affects roughly 500 million people worldwide. Alli can help solve this problem for many people. The drug comes in a capsule form and should be taken as directed by your doctor. You should take one with each meal, if you are eating foods that contain fat. You should not take more than three capsules in one day. It is advisable to begin eating healthy and exercising before you start taking Alli. This makes it easier to get into a rhythm before you begin taking this drug. 

According to The Mayo Clinic, Alli is especially helpful for those with a BMI that is 30 and above. If you eat a lot of fatty and oily foods, you are more likely to suffer negative side effects, such as itching, loss of appetite, and yellow eyes and skin. 

According to health experts, being overweight puts you at a greater risk for developing conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and coronary heart disease. If you eat more calories than you need, those calories convert to fat, causing the number on your scale to go up. Alli keeps about one third of the fat you consume from turning into fat. Alli attaches itself to enzymes called lipases, which break down body fat. 

Experts highly recommend cutting your “fat intake to 30 percent.” There are many ways to reduce your fat intake. You can switch from butter to low-fat spreads, such as Bertoli Light or Flora Light. Many lunch meats have visible fat on them. If you want to cut your fat intake, consider taking the skin off the meat. You should avoid eating the “skin on chicken and crackling on pork.” Avoid cooking with fatty oil. Instead, you can use a spray oil. It is ideal to poach, bake, or microwave your food. Additionally, you can choose low-fat dairy products, such as skim milk. When taking Alli, it is also advisable to consume low-calorie yogurts. Any cooking sauces you use should contain less than five grams of fat per 100 grams of sauce.

You should increase your intake of fiber and choose a high-fiber breakfast cereal. If you’re going to eat bread, make sure it is whole wheat. Also consume whole grain brown rice and pasta. To help increase your fiber intake, it may help to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables should be frozen, tinned, or fresh. Aim to consume a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. 

You should also limit your sugar intake when taking Alli. Because sugar contains a total of 20 calories per tablespoon, it is best to limit or cut down your intake. You should also avoid greasy food, such as burgers and fries. If you’re taking Alli, you should ideally avoid all high fat foods, opting instead for chicken, fish, and vegetables. However, you should not eliminate fat from your diet entirely. Your body needs some fat to operate properly. If you consume too much fat, you may also have oily stools. Undigested food is eliminated through the stool when you take Alli. Ideally, you should avoid fried chicken, pizza, and hotdogs. 

You may experience a number of symptoms if you consume too much fat. If you consume too much fat, you may experience a discharge from the rectum, abdominal pain, or the need to go to the toilet more frequently than normal. It is important to know what you can eat if you take Alli. Because you must limit your fat intake, it may help to eat unsweetened fruit juice, low fat bread with jam, or marmalade. It is also healthy to eat a meat alternative or low-fat cheese.

Lean meat and boiled eggs are also great choices, as they are packed with protein and make you feel fuller longer. Also, avoid high fat dairy, such as whole milk. It also helps to eat smaller portions, chew more slowly, and choose low-fat alternatives to fatty foods every chance you get. The more fat you consume, the more likely you are to experience side effects that negatively Impact your health. You should slightly decrease your caloric intake while taking Alli. 

Ideally, you want to avoid foods that are high in empty calories. Consuming these slows down your weight loss efforts, making it difficult to steadily lose weight. Alli can make it difficult for the body to absorb some vitamins, so it’s important to take a daily multivitamin while taking it. Those who take Alli should know which foods contain the vitamins they need. Protein is essential to your diet, especially if you take Alli. To get the protein your body needs, you should eat eggs, fish, tofu, and beans. 

These foods help you build muscles, cells, and bone tissue, while speeding up chemical reactions in the body’s cells. If you don’t consume enough protein, your body pulls protein from the muscles, causing them to atrophy. Baked beans are a great option if you’re looking for a sweet food that is packed with protein. This makes you feel full for a long period of time. These foods give you a lot of energy and are stored in very small amounts in the body. However, they are essential. 

Despite warnings that carbohydrates inhibit weight loss, they are a great source of nutrition. Carbohydrates are stored in small capacities. When carbohydrate stores run out in your body, it causes a number of problems. Your body begins eating into your fat stores for energy, if it does not have enough carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are a great source of energy, because the body pulls energy from carbohydrates before it uses anything else. Great sources of healthy carbohydrates include potatoes, bread, and pasta. Because whole milk is loaded with sugar, you should avoid it. Instead, opt for plant-based milk. If you eat out, ask to have sauces on the side, instead of having them doused all over your entrée. You should also avoid butter and margarine. As an alternative to these, try to cook with spices, herbs, and lemon juice.   

It is important to avoid hydrogenated fats as much as possible. This means cutting out lard, shortening, and cream. Instead, opt for liquid oils, such as safflower, sunflower, or olive oil. Processed foods are off limits, and you should substitute fruits and vegetables for sugary snacks. You should also avoid any processed foods, such as deli meats and canned fish. These and sugary foods contain a lot of preservatives, which are not good for you. You should also avoid canned foods, such as sardines and tuna.

Cereals, crackers, preprepared meals, cheese, and soups are loaded with preservatives, and should be avoided as much as possible. While generally considered healthy, yogurt also contains preservatives, so it may help to read labels on yogurt before you purchase it. Preservatives are added to foods to keep them from spoiling, maintain nutritional value, and improve the appearance of food. 

While it’s important to eat healthy snacks, you should not eat too many of them. This can lead to weight gain and potentially certain vitamin deficiencies. 

20 Sources

Nu Image Medical has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.