Consume This to Reduce Body Fat and Ensure a Peaceful Night's Rest (Like a Baby)
That Late-Night Snack Ruining Your Sleep? Here's What You Didn't Know
Staying up all night because your meals are wreaking havoc on your sleepSchedule? It's more common than you think. Turns out, not everything you chow down on late at night should make it to your dinner plate.
So, what are the usual suspects when it comes to food sabotaging your sleep? You might guess coffee, spicy foods, and sugar. But there are some surprising dietary factors that could keep you from catching those much-needed zzz's.
The Fiber-Fat Duo: Friend or Foe?
According to a study led by Marie-Pierre St-Onge, PhD, assistant professor at Columbia University Medical Center, a diet low in fiber and high in fat may compromise your sleep quality. The researchers discovered that even one day of excessive fat intake and insufficient fiber could influence your sleep patterns negatively.
Why does that four-cheese pizza give you trouble nodding off? Well, saturated fats are like rocket fuel for your body. They provide oodles of energy, but that energy surge doesn't bode well for a restful sleep.
On the other hand, fiber-rich foods can help you catch those quality winks. Fiber-packed fruits, veggies, and whole grains offer numerous sleep-improving benefits.
Fiber: Your Secret Sleep Weapon
By now, it's no secret that a balanced, fiber-rich diet provides a slew of health benefits. But did you know that fiber can also help you snooze like a baby?
Kiwi, leafy greens, berries, apples, carrots, oats, and brown rice are all brimming with fiber. Consuming a balanced approximation of these food groups can help lower your risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and colon cancer, as well as promote sound sleep.
The American diet mainly consists of unhealthy saturated fats found in meat, full-fat dairy products, baked goods, and other indulgences. However, finding the perfect fiber-fat balance is crucial for a good night's rest.
If you're not confident in what foods offer the most bang for your dietary buck, explore our rundown of high-fiber foods by category to ensure you're giving your body the right fuel.
Dr. Cutler's Trick to Slumber Success
To fight off cravings for unhealthy fats and sugars, battle your body's desire to pack on the pounds, and reap the benefits of fat loss, try feeding your diet with fiber-packed fruits and vegetables instead.
Research at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center shows that for every extra 10 grams of fiber you consume daily, your visceral fat (the harmful fat surrounding your organs) decreases.
So, next time you're pondering that late-night snack, think twice. Comprehend the immense power fiber-rich foods hold in promoting your health and well-being—including helping you snooze through the night like a well-rested charm.
Trivia: Did you know that balancing your body's pH levels can boost your energy, help with weight loss, support healthy digestion, ward off illness, and foster overall wellness? Learn more about The Alkaline Secret to Ultimate Vitality to revamp your life today!
References:
- Fiber and Saturated Fat Are Associated with Sleep Arousals and Slow Wave Sleep - Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
- A diet low in fiber and high in fat may negatively impact your sleep quality, according to a study led by Marie-Pierre St-Onge, PhD at Columbia University Medical Center.
- Consuming a balanced approximation of fiber-rich foods like kiwi, leafy greens, berries, apples, carrots, oats, and brown rice can help lower the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and colon cancer, as well as promote sound sleep.
- According to research at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, for every extra 10 grams of fiber you consume daily, your visceral fat (the harmful fat surrounding your organs) decreases.
- By understanding the immense power fiber-rich foods hold in promoting health and wellness, you can make informed decisions about your late-night snack choices to cultivate restful sleep and overall well-being.
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