If you are one of the many people on a quest for improved sleep, you have probably taken a deep dive into your bedtime routine. While a consistent bedtime routine is known to help with sleep, what if we told you that what you do throughout your entire day impacts the quality of your sleep?
There are many daily habits that can promote quality sleep, one of these factors being your nutrition. Proper nutrition and embracing a clean eating lifestyle can have an incredible impact on your quality of sleep.
8 WAYS THAT CLEAN EATING CAN PROMOTE BETTER SLEEP:
Balanced Blood Sugar Levels:
Clean eating typically involves consuming complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This balanced approach to nutrition helps stabilize blood sugar levels throughout the day and night. When blood sugar remains steady, it can reduce the likelihood of nighttime awakenings due to hunger or blood sugar spikes and crashes. Try these snack bars for an on-the-go snack that will keep your sugar levels in check.
Amino Acids for Sleep:
Clean eating often includes foods rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that plays a role in the production of serotonin and melatonin, two hormones that regulate sleep. Foods like turkey, chicken, nuts, seeds, and tofu are good sources of tryptophan and can support healthy sleep patterns.
Improved Digestion:
Highly processed and heavy, fatty foods can be harder to digest, potentially leading to discomfort or acid reflux during the night. Clean eating promotes a diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables, which can aid digestion and reduce the risk of sleep disturbances caused by indigestion.
Reduced Caffeine and Sugar:
Clean eating often involves cutting back on caffeine and refined sugars. High caffeine intake, especially late in the day, can interfere with falling asleep and staying asleep. Similarly, consuming sugary foods close to bedtime may lead to blood sugar spikes and crashes that disrupt sleep.
Proper Hydration:
Clean eating typically emphasizes staying hydrated with water and herbal teas rather than sugary or caffeinated beverages. Proper hydration can prevent nighttime awakenings due to thirst and help regulate bodily functions that promote restorative sleep.
Reduced Sleep Apnea Risk:
Clean eating and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep. Excess weight, particularly around the neck, can contribute to sleep apnea, and clean eating supports weight management.
Lower Inflammation:
Clean eating reduces the consumption of processed foods that can contribute to inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation has been linked to sleep disturbances and disorders, so reducing inflammation through diet can improve sleep quality.
Energy Levels and Daytime Alertness:
Clean eating provides consistent energy levels throughout the day, which can help prevent daytime sleepiness. When you have steady energy levels, you're more likely to experience restorative sleep at night.
GETTING STARTED WITH A CLEAN EATING LIFESTYLE
When it comes to anything new, getting started is always the hardest part. It can feel like we need to do a complete overhaul, which can result in feeling overwhelmed. This is why we go back to our old habits before we even get started.
If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone. Let me introduce you to Atlas Bars.
Atlas Bars are the perfect way to get started with clean eating. Their bars, which can be used as a snack and as a meal replacement bar, are made with clean, natural ingredients, and are a simple, low-maintenance way to implement a clean eating lifestyle. They provide you with sustained energy throughout the day, helping you avoid the midday crash. Visit https://try.atlasbars.com/transformation/ to get started.
Cheers to Better Sleep!
-Perfect Sleep Team at Olive + Crate
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