How exactly does that help? You’re saying a low calorie, low protein, low carb diet makes you feel better? Where are you getting your energy from then?

You get more than enough energy from eating sensible, healthy food. Protein doesn't just have to come from large serves of meat!

Here is how my partner and I ate for the last five months of working from home:

* Eat more veggies and salad, more beans and legumes, some fruit.

* Eat much less bread and pasta. Cut out most sugar and fruit juice.

* Make 1/3 of your dinners vegetarian, and split the other 2/3 between chicken/turkey and fish. Eat little red meat. * Have dessert as a treat twice a week.

* Evaluate portion sizes. You probably will be perfectly happy only eating 2/3 as much for your evening meal.

* Realize that most snacking between meals is because you really want a small break from work, not because you are actually hungry.

In combination with regular running, I have never felt fitter or been in better shape.

I’d call this a “rational” diet; unfortunately, most of the diet plans I find on reputable sources are for “constrained” people (vegans, vegetarians, or people that are allergic to something). Being unconstrained, I’d assume I’d have an easier time finding a sensible diet that has all the nutrients and energy I need while being reasonably eco-friendly and wouldn’t break the bank, but that’s not my experience. Would you recommend any sources that I could use to build such a diet plan?

Why do I ask for some reputable sources? My attempt to build a plan according to my “common sense” (similar to your advice actually: dropping most of red meat, eating more legumes etc) lead to me developing hypotension and iron-deficiency; of course I can adjust the diet now I know this, but I’d rather do it the proper way this time.