WW doesn't really look at salt at all. So you need to kind of keep track of how it effects your body. I tend not to add it to foods, and foods that are already are high in sodium are high in points..processed boxed things, fast food chips ect. There are some exceptions to this like soup and some canned vegetables. So with salt know how it effects you. If you tend to retain water try to keep it lower.
As for cholesterol if a food is high in fat it tends to be high in chol. Again these are high point foods. Same thing with sugar, high in sugar=high in points.
So by simply following the program you will be moderating them. That's the beauty of WW! It's that simple. To get the most out of your points you tend to eat more healthy stuff, why eat 13 points on a McD's small milkshake when you can eat a full meal of lean protein, whole wheat carb based foods, fruits and veggies for that same 13 points? Then by following your 8 healthy guidlines you are pretty well covered nutritionally
Do you go to meetings? I'd say that it's well worth the initial cost of $30-$35 for the first meeting info, and worth the $20 or so for the Dining Out Guide and Food companion books. I agree that diet programs can add up quick. But so far I've gotten more than my money's worth out of these.