To not understand why my healthy (I think) way of eating isn't making me feel energetic and fabulous

Without knowing quantities it's difficult to estimate calories but without the smoothie it's about 800-1000 calories. Unless the smoothie is 800kcal it's not enough calories to keep you energised, assuming OP is reasonably active.

It would be a good weight loss diet (minus smoothie maybe). But it's pretty low in calories. As OPs main concern is lack of energy, she doesn't drink alcohol, has a low stress lifestyle and doesn't want to lose weight then upping calories would be a sensible option

As I said there's no magic diet that's going to make you feel energised, and there could be any other reason why OP is low in energy, including just age. But it's not a high calorie diet

It look pretty healthy. If you have the same plants on repeat most days of the week trying switching it up a bit, I quite like the trying to eat 30+ different plants a week idea to ensure a good range of nutrients.

Sleep, workload (mental and physical), hydration, stress, vitamins /iron, air quality, hormones and illnesses all impact how we feel so if your diet is pretty good perhaps you need look at what else might be contributing to feeling sub par.

So, to summarise for you @LindyFoo:

You're eating too much, you aren't eating enough, eat more carbs, eat fewer carbs, eat no carbs, do and don't eat meat, take supplements (no, not those - they're terrible).

If you're tired I would check you are getting sufficient quality sleep, up your water intake and then get a blood test.

You genuinely think a salmon fillet and 2 eggs and a bit of cheese is enough food of substance/calories to keep someone satiated and energised from breakfast through to breakfast the next morning?

Vegetables and salad leaves will fill you up in the moment but they won't keep you full for a long period of time or give you energy. Protein and fat will do that and carbs give you energy.

It looks like a lot of calories from dairy because there's very little other calories being eaten

Coffee, toast with jam and an omlette in comparison is not a healthy diet. I imagine this poster is less active than many.

I don’t think it’s “too much” carbs or sugar, it’s looks very normal and healthy to me.

Whats your caffeine intake like? Are you drinking enough water?

Are the lots of carbs in the room with us?

OP your diet looks fine. Obviously nobody knows what proportions your macros are in but it looks good on principle. We don't know what quantities you're eating in relation to your caloric needs. What were you eating before? Are you in a calorie deficit? Are you trying to lose weight or maintain?

That is not low in calories at all!! Avocado, peanut butter, salmon, bread, olive oil.

All healthy fats, granted, but low in calories - not at all!

The first few replies

• there's too many carbs
• there's not enough carbs
• there's no sugar for energy
• there's too much sugar in breakfast and snack
• there's not enough fruit
• where is the meat?

I agree with you that it looks healthy. If you don't feel you have enough energy then look at increasing protein further or quantities - how many calories are you eating? Do you take any supplements?

I think you have to be realistic here .Your diet seems good to me .Mid 60s similar age here .You wont feel "fabulous " as a younger woman may .You are doing the right things ,but wont have the energy of someone 20 years younger!

It looks good to me but I always thought that smoothies weren’t that good for you and it’s better to eat the constituent whole parts.
Even psychologically, I think I’d be hungry after the breakfast as it’s just a drink (regardless of what goes into it.
Do you feel tired generally, or are there particular dips in energy you can pinpoint?

I have an electrolyte tablet every day and that makes a difference for me.

You’re expecting too much. What’s your fitness regime? Are you fit? Maybe more exercise is what you need.
I give up alcohol for Lent every year, and probably drink too much the rest of the time. It makes no difference to how I feel whatsoever, whereas it’s supposed to make me sleep better, feel clearer headed and less sluggish… not one bit. So it’s not always diet (which I think yours is fine, there are plenty of carbs on vegetables and fruit too).

Doesnt look right to me. There isnt much to get energy from.
Also I would move your evening meal to lunch.
There us about 1600 calories in the says meals.
The carbs are comole and there us healthy fats in there.
There could be external factors causing the tiredness, not the diet.

Have you tried dairy free diet?
Supplementing good magnesium? Vitamin D? Do you get enough sunshine?

Nothing wrong with your diet but I would try and add in lentils, beans, nuts & seeds as protein/fibre. Feeling fabulous isn't just about eating well, it's also getting enough sleep and exercise. Walking is great, yoga for flexibility and strength training to support muscle strength and bone density, both decline after menopause.

I agree. Nor does meat contain all the vitamins you need.

Your diet looks amazing! One question though, do you enjoy it or do you eat it because you feel like you should?
Your breakfast would have me wanting to chew my arm off by 10am! I much prefer porridge with a banana and a squirt of honey.
Occasionally a take away or a meal out (where you eat what you fancy, not scan the menu desperately for the healthiest option! ) is just as good for the soul as a pile of kale.
I have always said if I make it to a ripe old age I fully intend to eat and drink whatever I fancy on any given day.....we only get one go at life and I'll be buggered if the last thing I eat is a sodding vegetable 🤣

Because you might be deficient in something else? Or just tired?

Also, there could be something you can do with your daily routine, like sleep more or better, or have more /better suited exercise.

Doesnt look right to me. There isnt much to get energy from.
Also I would move your evening meal to lunch.

Your diet looks fine. It takes 6 weeks for a change of diet to translate to your energy levels
Ignorevthe predictable comments about needing meat.
If you still feel tired or sluggish without a medical reason then your nervous system is likely the issue

You think she eats a lot? Words fail me.

Why do these posts always bring out the competitive under eaters!

OP you diet sounds fabulous. Maybe go to the Dr for blood and thyroid tests though.

i thought the opposite re calories
A lot of fat from dairy (cheese, milk powder, Greek yoghurt)
The morning smoothie would send me to sleep - eat something you chew instead of wolf down
not enough low calorie but filling foods at every meal (cucumber, apple, carrots etc)

On paper your diet looks fine. How many calories are you taking in? It might be something a simple as you’re not eating enough. A smoothie can be 200 calories or 2000 calories. ‘Cheese’ can mean a teaspoon of cottage cheese, a truckload of Stilton, and everything in between, so it’s hard to judge whether this is a ‘good’ diet or not.