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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

389 replies

LindyFoo · 22/03/2026 10:17

AIBU to consider this is a healthy daily diet (not looking to lose weight as already a healthy weight). I want to feel more energetic and fabulous :-). Don't eat meat or drink alcohol. In my 60s, fit and well, very minimal stress.

AM
Smoothie with banana, kale, milk, peanut butter, avacado, skimmed milk powder, greek yoghurt
SNACK
Sourdough bread with peanut butter
MIDDAY
2 egg with onion, peppers, cheese and a mixed salad with olive oil dressing
5PM
Salmon with salad or brown rice with prawns and lots of vegetables and spices

What is missing? Or not helping?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Delatron · 22/03/2026 19:46

I ate very healthily and only felt better once I started HRT (including testosterone) sometimes it’s hormonal. Apologies if you’ve said you’re already on HRT. Just something to think about.

RoseField1 · 22/03/2026 19:46

DeQuin · 22/03/2026 14:20

ChatGPT’s advice is drawn from … randoms on the internet.

No it's not. It's drawn from everything on the internet including all peer reviewed studies, journals, research papers, published books, debates, discussions and expert opinion. It synthesises what it reads and provides summaries in easy to understand paragraphs. Use your critical faculties but it's very much NOT just like randoms on mumsnet.

Dymaxion · 22/03/2026 19:39

I think I would be checking your iron, B12 and thyroxine levels ? You don't mention if you are taking any medication at all ?

Nottodaythankyou123 · 22/03/2026 19:38

I think it’s a little lacking in carbs and calories - that’s a relatively low calorie day by my estimate. I alway find I feel drained if I try and cut my calories too low, even if the food itself is nutritious.

LindyFoo · 22/03/2026 19:27

Whatinthedoopla the milk powder was meant to increase protein but I see ChatGPT doesn't rate it either. Thanks for that MikeRafone - reassuring that I've not got it completely wrong.

And for those of you concerned about my dull, joyous diet, don't worry, I'm eating food I like. Crisps and chips don't appeal but I do have cake, chocolate , biscuits occasionally but no desire to eat them daily. I don't have any sort of iron willpower, just not that keen on them.

OP posts:
Flamingojune · 22/03/2026 19:13

Exercise more

HesarealJacquelineHigh · 22/03/2026 19:11

MikeRafone · 22/03/2026 18:23

I just put it into chatgpt and this was the outcome

You’ve actually built a very solid, whole-food diet here—good protein, healthy fats, fiber, and micronutrients. The structure is strong; it just needs some fine-tuning depending on your goal (fat loss, muscle gain, or maintenance).
I’ll break it down first, then tweak it.
🔍 Analysis
👍 What’s good

  • Protein spread across the day (eggs, salmon/prawns, yoghurt)
  • Healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, peanut butter, salmon)
  • High micronutrients (kale, peppers, salad, mixed veg)
  • Low ultra-processed foods
  • Balanced meals (not skipping meals)
⚠️ What could be improved
  1. Calories may creep up quickly
  • Peanut butter (twice)
  • Avocado
  • Olive oil
  • Cheese
👉 These are healthy but very calorie-dense, easy to overdo.
  1. Protein could be slightly higher (depending on goals)
  • Breakfast smoothie protein is moderate, not high
  • Midday meal is only ~2 eggs → ~12g protein
👉 If you're training or want fat loss, protein likely needs boosting.
  1. Carb timing isn’t optimized
  • Sourdough snack + smoothie = carb-heavy earlier
  • Evening meal sometimes low carb (salmon + salad only)
👉 Not bad, but could be better aligned to energy needs.
  1. Smoothie is doing too much
You’ve got:
  • Banana
  • Peanut butter
  • Avocado
  • Yoghurt
  • Milk + milk powder
👉 That’s:
  • High calorie
  • High fat + carb combo
  • Easy to overconsume
🔧 Tweaked Version (Cleaner + More Effective) 🌅 Morning (AM Smoothie – streamlined) Keep it, but simplify: Option:
  • Banana ✅
  • Kale/spinach ✅
  • Greek yoghurt ✅
  • Milk (skip powder) ✅
  • Peanut butter OR avocado (not both)
👉 Add:
  • Protein powder (optional but ideal)
Why:
  • Keeps nutrients
  • Cuts excess calories
  • Improves protein quality
🍞 Snack Current:
  • Sourdough + peanut butter
Tweak:
  • Keep it, but:
  • Reduce peanut butter portion
  • OR swap sometimes for:
  • Eggs on toast
  • Cottage cheese on toast
👉 More protein, less fat stacking 🍳 Midday Meal (Big improvement opportunity) Current:
  • 2 eggs + veg + cheese + salad
Tweak:
  • Increase protein:
  • 3 eggs OR
  • 2 eggs + egg whites OR
  • Add chicken/tuna
  • Reduce cheese slightly
👉 This becomes a high-protein anchor meal 🍤 5PM Meal (Already strong) Keep both options, but tweak balance: Option 1 (Salmon + salad) 👉 Add:
  • Small carb source (potatoes, quinoa, or rice)
Option 2 (Prawns + rice + veg) 👉 Good as is, just:
  • Watch oil quantity
⚖️ Simple Rules to Upgrade This Diet
  • Don’t stack fat sources in one meal
  • (e.g., peanut butter + avocado + olive oil)
  • Aim for 20–40g protein per meal
  • Add carbs around activity time
  • Keep veggies high (you’re doing great here)
🧠 Example “Optimised” Day AM Smoothie
  • Banana, kale, Greek yoghurt, milk, protein powder, peanut butter
Snack
  • Sourdough + light peanut butter OR eggs on toast
Lunch
  • 3 eggs + veg + small cheese + salad + olive oil
Dinner
  • Salmon + potatoes + veg
  • OR
  • Prawns + brown rice + veg
🎯 Final Verdict Your diet is:
  • 8/10 already
  • Very nutrient-dense
  • Just slightly too calorie-dense and slightly under-proteined
With tweaks: 👉 It becomes lean, high-performance, and sustainable If you tell me your goal (fat loss, muscle gain, or just health), I can dial this into a precise plan with calories/macros.

If the OP wanted to know what ChatGPT thought of her diet I’m sure she could have asked it herself

PotatoHeading · 22/03/2026 19:09

Where are vegetables and fruit? Apart from the banana which is high in sugar so are grapes so don't add any.
Do you have 2 eggs and cheese everyday or is this just a sample menu? Cheese everyday not good and no more than 1 egg a day. Are you drinking enough water and tea and coffee without sugar?

Sharptonguedwoman · 22/03/2026 19:06

borntobequiet · 22/03/2026 11:06

I normally have coffee and toast with honey and jam for breakfast, mostly skip lunch and eat an omelette, spaghetti bolognaise or somesuch for dinner. I also take a vitamin supplement and some extra iron. I’m in my seventies, with a longstanding heart issue and osteoarthritis - I’m waiting for a knee replacement - but not at all lacking in energy and look good, or so I’m told.

You seem to eat rather a lot, and it’s fiddly. I couldn’t manage that much.

People are all different but two out of three of those meals are insufficient for me. Just for comparison.

Skates · 22/03/2026 19:05

Are you walking enough. Hitting the weights. Fresh air. Getting 7+ hours of good sleep.drinking enough fluids. Diet alone won’t give you energy you have to train your body as well

NeverDropYourMooncup · 22/03/2026 19:05

MikeRafone · 22/03/2026 18:23

I just put it into chatgpt and this was the outcome

You’ve actually built a very solid, whole-food diet here—good protein, healthy fats, fiber, and micronutrients. The structure is strong; it just needs some fine-tuning depending on your goal (fat loss, muscle gain, or maintenance).
I’ll break it down first, then tweak it.
🔍 Analysis
👍 What’s good

  • Protein spread across the day (eggs, salmon/prawns, yoghurt)
  • Healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, peanut butter, salmon)
  • High micronutrients (kale, peppers, salad, mixed veg)
  • Low ultra-processed foods
  • Balanced meals (not skipping meals)
⚠️ What could be improved
  1. Calories may creep up quickly
  • Peanut butter (twice)
  • Avocado
  • Olive oil
  • Cheese
👉 These are healthy but very calorie-dense, easy to overdo.
  1. Protein could be slightly higher (depending on goals)
  • Breakfast smoothie protein is moderate, not high
  • Midday meal is only ~2 eggs → ~12g protein
👉 If you're training or want fat loss, protein likely needs boosting.
  1. Carb timing isn’t optimized
  • Sourdough snack + smoothie = carb-heavy earlier
  • Evening meal sometimes low carb (salmon + salad only)
👉 Not bad, but could be better aligned to energy needs.
  1. Smoothie is doing too much
You’ve got:
  • Banana
  • Peanut butter
  • Avocado
  • Yoghurt
  • Milk + milk powder
👉 That’s:
  • High calorie
  • High fat + carb combo
  • Easy to overconsume
🔧 Tweaked Version (Cleaner + More Effective) 🌅 Morning (AM Smoothie – streamlined) Keep it, but simplify: Option:
  • Banana ✅
  • Kale/spinach ✅
  • Greek yoghurt ✅
  • Milk (skip powder) ✅
  • Peanut butter OR avocado (not both)
👉 Add:
  • Protein powder (optional but ideal)
Why:
  • Keeps nutrients
  • Cuts excess calories
  • Improves protein quality
🍞 Snack Current:
  • Sourdough + peanut butter
Tweak:
  • Keep it, but:
  • Reduce peanut butter portion
  • OR swap sometimes for:
  • Eggs on toast
  • Cottage cheese on toast
👉 More protein, less fat stacking 🍳 Midday Meal (Big improvement opportunity) Current:
  • 2 eggs + veg + cheese + salad
Tweak:
  • Increase protein:
  • 3 eggs OR
  • 2 eggs + egg whites OR
  • Add chicken/tuna
  • Reduce cheese slightly
👉 This becomes a high-protein anchor meal 🍤 5PM Meal (Already strong) Keep both options, but tweak balance: Option 1 (Salmon + salad) 👉 Add:
  • Small carb source (potatoes, quinoa, or rice)
Option 2 (Prawns + rice + veg) 👉 Good as is, just:
  • Watch oil quantity
⚖️ Simple Rules to Upgrade This Diet
  • Don’t stack fat sources in one meal
  • (e.g., peanut butter + avocado + olive oil)
  • Aim for 20–40g protein per meal
  • Add carbs around activity time
  • Keep veggies high (you’re doing great here)
🧠 Example “Optimised” Day AM Smoothie
  • Banana, kale, Greek yoghurt, milk, protein powder, peanut butter
Snack
  • Sourdough + light peanut butter OR eggs on toast
Lunch
  • 3 eggs + veg + small cheese + salad + olive oil
Dinner
  • Salmon + potatoes + veg
  • OR
  • Prawns + brown rice + veg
🎯 Final Verdict Your diet is:
  • 8/10 already
  • Very nutrient-dense
  • Just slightly too calorie-dense and slightly under-proteined
With tweaks: 👉 It becomes lean, high-performance, and sustainable If you tell me your goal (fat loss, muscle gain, or just health), I can dial this into a precise plan with calories/macros.

I wouldn't pay the slightest bit of attention to ChatGPT. When I prompted for a gluten free plan, it recommended seitan, soy sauce and mugicha.

Sharptonguedwoman · 22/03/2026 19:00

UniquePinkSwan · 22/03/2026 10:21

You’re eating a lot of carbs. It’ll give you an initial energy boost then make you tired a couple of hours later. Where’s the meat? Meat contains all the vitamins you need and it’s bioavailable unlike plants

I don’t think there are enough carbs. Or proper food. I’m not an expert or a vegetarian but unless OP is extremely petite, to my mind there just isn’t enough of anything.
An iron/thyroid check might be good.

JJWT · 22/03/2026 19:00

Maybe don't start the day with banana. Its used to help infants get to sleep, I believe it's soporific, as is lettuce. So if u feel less zippy than u hoped maybe move the banana and any lettuce to evening?

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 22/03/2026 18:42

Looks good to me. I’d just add some seeds, nuts and fruit.

shamble · 22/03/2026 18:38

@tokophobiathose were for me signs of perimenopause. Don’t know your age, but HRT has been a lifesaver for me.

ThisOchreHedgehog · 22/03/2026 18:25

redboxerclub · 22/03/2026 18:07

I’ve seen your updates and I don’t eat breakfast too. Breakfast is so overrated as being good for us. It isnt essential. I have a glass of ready made smoothie!!

Same, always found breakfast tricky. If I don’t have anything made ahead I can easily go til lunchtime just fine. Or sometimes I’ll just have some kind of “healthy” bar. It works for me!

MikeRafone · 22/03/2026 18:23

I just put it into chatgpt and this was the outcome

You’ve actually built a very solid, whole-food diet here—good protein, healthy fats, fiber, and micronutrients. The structure is strong; it just needs some fine-tuning depending on your goal (fat loss, muscle gain, or maintenance).
I’ll break it down first, then tweak it.
🔍 Analysis
👍 What’s good

  • Protein spread across the day (eggs, salmon/prawns, yoghurt)
  • Healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, peanut butter, salmon)
  • High micronutrients (kale, peppers, salad, mixed veg)
  • Low ultra-processed foods
  • Balanced meals (not skipping meals)
⚠️ What could be improved
  1. Calories may creep up quickly
  • Peanut butter (twice)
  • Avocado
  • Olive oil
  • Cheese
👉 These are healthy but very calorie-dense, easy to overdo.
  1. Protein could be slightly higher (depending on goals)
  • Breakfast smoothie protein is moderate, not high
  • Midday meal is only ~2 eggs → ~12g protein
👉 If you're training or want fat loss, protein likely needs boosting.
  1. Carb timing isn’t optimized
  • Sourdough snack + smoothie = carb-heavy earlier
  • Evening meal sometimes low carb (salmon + salad only)
👉 Not bad, but could be better aligned to energy needs.
  1. Smoothie is doing too much
You’ve got:
  • Banana
  • Peanut butter
  • Avocado
  • Yoghurt
  • Milk + milk powder
👉 That’s:
  • High calorie
  • High fat + carb combo
  • Easy to overconsume
🔧 Tweaked Version (Cleaner + More Effective) 🌅 Morning (AM Smoothie – streamlined) Keep it, but simplify: Option:
  • Banana ✅
  • Kale/spinach ✅
  • Greek yoghurt ✅
  • Milk (skip powder) ✅
  • Peanut butter OR avocado (not both)
👉 Add:
  • Protein powder (optional but ideal)
Why:
  • Keeps nutrients
  • Cuts excess calories
  • Improves protein quality
🍞 Snack Current:
  • Sourdough + peanut butter
Tweak:
  • Keep it, but:
  • Reduce peanut butter portion
  • OR swap sometimes for:
  • Eggs on toast
  • Cottage cheese on toast
👉 More protein, less fat stacking 🍳 Midday Meal (Big improvement opportunity) Current:
  • 2 eggs + veg + cheese + salad
Tweak:
  • Increase protein:
  • 3 eggs OR
  • 2 eggs + egg whites OR
  • Add chicken/tuna
  • Reduce cheese slightly
👉 This becomes a high-protein anchor meal 🍤 5PM Meal (Already strong) Keep both options, but tweak balance: Option 1 (Salmon + salad) 👉 Add:
  • Small carb source (potatoes, quinoa, or rice)
Option 2 (Prawns + rice + veg) 👉 Good as is, just:
  • Watch oil quantity
⚖️ Simple Rules to Upgrade This Diet
  • Don’t stack fat sources in one meal
  • (e.g., peanut butter + avocado + olive oil)
  • Aim for 20–40g protein per meal
  • Add carbs around activity time
  • Keep veggies high (you’re doing great here)
🧠 Example “Optimised” Day AM Smoothie
  • Banana, kale, Greek yoghurt, milk, protein powder, peanut butter
Snack
  • Sourdough + light peanut butter OR eggs on toast
Lunch
  • 3 eggs + veg + small cheese + salad + olive oil
Dinner
  • Salmon + potatoes + veg
  • OR
  • Prawns + brown rice + veg
🎯 Final Verdict Your diet is:
  • 8/10 already
  • Very nutrient-dense
  • Just slightly too calorie-dense and slightly under-proteined
With tweaks: 👉 It becomes lean, high-performance, and sustainable If you tell me your goal (fat loss, muscle gain, or just health), I can dial this into a precise plan with calories/macros.
FattyMallow · 22/03/2026 18:18

Well done you! Sounds lovely! I'd get rid of peanut butter and prawns and add some spring water tuna though.

LunchatthePriory · 22/03/2026 18:15

TipsyPeachSnake · 22/03/2026 17:54

This is so ignorant

There are world athletes that don’t eat meat fgs.

There's an entirely vegan football team near Stroud.

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 22/03/2026 18:10

redboxerclub · 22/03/2026 18:07

I’ve seen your updates and I don’t eat breakfast too. Breakfast is so overrated as being good for us. It isnt essential. I have a glass of ready made smoothie!!

A personal trainer once told me the opposite: breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen, dinner like a pauper. Surely it's in the name, "break the fast"?

redboxerclub · 22/03/2026 18:07

I’ve seen your updates and I don’t eat breakfast too. Breakfast is so overrated as being good for us. It isnt essential. I have a glass of ready made smoothie!!

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 22/03/2026 18:06

canuckup · 22/03/2026 17:37

Main thing that jumps out is the lack of meat

You're probably iron deficient

I agree. My GP once told me not to cut out any food groups.

Whatinthedoopla · 22/03/2026 18:05

Why the skimmed milk powder?

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 22/03/2026 18:05

Basquervill · 22/03/2026 17:00

I don’t think you are eating enough to feel fabulous. I think you are under eating. Are you very slim and quite petite? If I were you I’d experiment.. try some scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on toast with a sliced apple with almond butter and a few figs or dates for breakfast. See if you feel better. Are you eating for your bone health, also. Sardines, tahini.. you need calcium.

I agree. Maybe your portion sizes are not meeting your energy needs. Add in more like a jacket potato with cheddar cheese, tuna or beans. Nuts? More fruit? A bit more yogurt? Porridge? Weetabix? Stir fry, casseroles etc? Some smoked mackerel, tuna or salmon. What about other veg? Kale? Spinach? Mashed potatoes?

Lots of options, and dark chocolate 90% coco, or a cacao hot chocolate will be good too. Life is too short for just healthy food all the time. Everyone needs a treat or two.

redboxerclub · 22/03/2026 18:04

I haven’t read the full thread but I just wanted to say that I ate brilliantly and exercised very regularly, lost weight (4stone) and felt terrible for most of the time!!

it’s frustrating so many people say that lifestyle change are a panacea and they are not. I hope you have some treat now and then too unless that is really what you want to eat all the time. A meal out or a cake occasionally. Go to the GP and get a check up.

im ok now I’m on a cocktail of HRT and antidepressants and painkillers. People telling me I look amazing and so healthy.