Healthy living

[ella3003]

Hello,

I have been trying to be healthy for the past few months to help me study more efficiently, but I am worried that I am not doing enough, as I feel tired a lot still. I am eating a vegan diet, with at least 7 portions of fruit or vegetables a day, lots of protein and few carbs, adding up to 1000-1300 calories a day. I also exercise for between one and two hours each day, and drink a protein shake after workouts. I take multivitamins too (Pharmaton tablets, vitamin D, calcium and vitamin C tablets), and drink lots of water. At first I felt great and much healthier, but now I feel really tired and I wondered whether I should be doing anything else to live healthily?

Thank you,
Ella.

[Wendy Green]

Hi Ella,

You don't mention whether or not you need to lose weight - but even if you do 1,000 to 1,300 calories a day is rather low - especially if you exercise one to two hours a day. As a guide most women need around 2,000 calories a day and most women would lose weight on 1,500 - 1,700 calories a day.

If you are a healthy weight I think you'd be better off concentrating on eating healthily and not worrying so much about calories. As you are a vegan, there are a number of vitamins and minerals you could go short of; however I notice you are taking vitamins and minerals, which should help you to avoid deficiencies that can occur when following a vegan diet. If you haven't already, I suggest you take a look at the Vegan Society's website for nutritional advice and vegan recipes http://www.vegansociety.com/lifestyle/food/?ad=677745

Finally, if eating a little more and checking you are eating a balanced vegan diet doesn't relieve your tiredness I suggest you visit your GP, who might want to run some tests to check whether it is due to some underlying health problem.

I hope you start to feel better soon.

Wendy

[Wendy Green]

Hi Ella,

Something else has just occurred to me - you say you eat few carbs - this could also be the reason for your tiredness, as you need carbs to fuel the muscles when you exercise. I suggest introducing more wholegrain carbs such as wholewheat/granary bread,wholewheat cereals, porridge, brown rice and wholewheat pasta.

I hope this helps.

Wendy