By Maya Carducci
After a long day at work or training, your body needs its sleep. It’s pretty clear why we need to catch our z’s, but did you know what we eat actually affects our quality of sleep? Here are some things to consider when you’re trying to get better sleep.
Eat foods high in Magnesium, Tryptophan, and Omega fatty acids. Magnesium helps overall to relax our minds and bodies. It helps reduce inflammation as well, which is great for after a hard day at the gym. Tryptophan supports brain health and works to release serotonin and melatonin that helps us fall asleep faster and get quality rest. Omega fatty acids help improve bodily functions during the day, as well as being linked to better overall sleep and its calming effect on our bodies.
On the other hand, try to avoid sugar, big meals close to bedtime, alcohol, and caffeine. Sugar causes an imbalance in blood sugar levels, and it is also a stimulant. Try to control your sugar intake throughout the day, especially before bedtime. Be sure to also give your body enough time between dinner and bedtime to digest food. Having large meals close to bedtime can disrupt your sleep and even cause indigestion. Alcohol is notorious for low quality sleep because it prevents you from entering the REM sleep stage. Caffeine as well, is something to avoid before bed because this is another stimulant that can cause restlessness.
Try to be mindful of your diet because there are so many factors that depend on what you are consuming and you may not even know it. A good night’s sleep is crucial for energy and recovery for the next day. Want more nutritional tips? JPFIT4LIFE can help. Set up your FREE virtual consultation TODAY by emailing 1jpfit4life1@gmail.com or calling 802-522-6521.
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