Not being able to sleep...diet related?

wifealiciousness

I've always been a good sleeper- I ave an active busy lifestyle and sleep like a log- often in bed and asleep before 10pm. I also get up earlyish for work (between 6 and 6:30am), so I have a good routine.

I've been on my diet (though I hate that word) for about 7-8 weeks, and have been doing an ok job. Most days I'm on or under my calorie limit, and I get exercise 6 days a week. I appreciate that I could do more, but I have a healthy BMI and a healthy lifestyle overall and don't mind enjoying a slice of cake or glass of wine a few times a week.

For the last week I have been struggling to get to sleep- lying awake until the early hours and then waking up several times. I've had a hot nights where I've woken up at about 3am sweating and feeling awful and struggling to get back to sleep, then being freezing cold. I don't feel ill per-se, just sleepless and groggy. I've been getting up a bit later than normal (normally as a knock on from not sleeping the night before), but not lying in until late. Except this morning when I finally had some good sleep between about 8-10:30am which luckily my husband left me to sleep. It's making me feel drained and grey in the face. By the afternoon I'm managing to get things done, but I feel really crappy.

Has anyone else experienced this kind of reaction to a diet? I'm trying to work out if it's the diet that's causing this!

bathsheba_c

Is it possible that you've added caffeine or removed a bedtime snack as part of your dietary changes?

rumandreason

I had a couple of nights like this then realised that the green tea I had been drinking had caffeine in it! Doh. Double check nothing you're eating/drinking close to bedtime has stimulants. Lettuce has a sedative effect...as does warmed milk if you drink it (no chocolate or coffee in there!). Maybe you could try a lettuce salad before bed?! Also try not to exercise to close to bedtime. Hope something helps...

SuperstarDJ

Yes, if your intake is too low it will negatively affect your sleep. It might be worth upping your intake or having a snack before bed because long term sleep deprivation can actually cause weight gain due to, in part, changes in the hormone gherlin, which stimulates appetite.

See http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5595T020090610?irpc=932

wifealiciousness

Is it possible that you've added caffeine or removed a bedtime snack as part of your dietary changes?

Nope, I'm not and never have been a caffeine drinker, and I don't eat after dinner (which admittedly was very late last night, but normally is a regular time) :-S

wifealiciousness

I had a couple of nights like this then realised that the green tea I had been drinking had caffeine in it! Doh. Double check nothing you're eating/drinking close to bedtime has stimulants. Lettuce has a sedative effect...as does warmed milk if you drink it (no chocolate or coffee in there!). Maybe you could try a lettuce salad before bed?! Also try not to exercise to close to bedtime. Hope something helps...

Thanks me too! I don't eat or drink anything after dinner (expect maybe a glass of wine) and that's no different to normal, and never exercise after dinner!

wifealiciousness

Yes, if your intake is too low it will negatively affect your sleep. It might be worth upping your intake or having a snack before bed because long term sleep deprivation can actually cause weight gain due to, in part, changes in the hormone gherlin, which stimulates appetite.

See http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5595T020090610?irpc=932

I don't think my intake it too low- I am never hungry and I'll be the first to admit my diary isn't particularly accurate as I don't weigh everything I eat so it's probably higher than it looks on my diary!

ehalps26

try taking 1 melatonin pill 30 min before bed...this should put you out like a light

xarge

I guess you are mostly exercising in the evenings. Have you started this along with your diet? If so, that's probably the reason. while most people have problems with it, on days I exercise late, it's very hard to fall asleep because of higher metabolism.

arachniagirl

It could be hormonal - perimenopause typically starts in our 40s but can start as early as 35 (not sure how old you are). Insomnia and hot flashes (waking up sweaty and cold) are two of the main symptoms. Just a thought...

wifealiciousness

It could be hormonal - perimenopause typically starts in our 40s but can start as early as 35 (not sure how old you are). Insomnia and hot flashes (waking up sweaty and cold) are two of the main symptoms. Just a thought...

Just 27 so let's hope not.....

wifealiciousness

I guess you are mostly exercising in the evenings. Have you started this along with your diet? If so, that's probably the reason. while most people have problems with it, on days I exercise late, it's very hard to fall asleep because of higher metabolism.

Not in the slightest- I do most my exercise between 7am and 5pm (for my commute and for work trips)!

All I've changed is to lower my net cal by eating a bit better and less, and doing slight more exercise!

wifealiciousness

try taking 1 melatonin pill 30 min before bed...this should put you out like a light

Tell me more! I am intreagued, but would rather tackle the cause then start taking pills!

TheVimFuego

I have not tried Melatonin supplementation but I find Magnesium 1 hour before bed helps.

Diet can absolutely affect sleep, a carb heavy late meal can help sleep but this isn't on my nutrition plan so I stick with the Magnesium

TheVimFuego

Tell me more! I am intreagued, but would rather tackle the cause then start taking pills!

You say that you drink alcohol, this will play havoc with sleep patterns especially if consumed late. It's not something you probably want to hear but cutting that should be priority 1 if you have sleep issues.

Melatonin is a widely used supplement and promotes natural sleep so shouldn't be seen as a 'sleeping pill' with all the 'hangover' effects that can result.

chocco8

Could it be overtraining? I find it hard to sleep when I'm doing too much exercise. You need breaks to relax and let your body rest.

xarge

I've had a hot nights where I've woken up at about 3am sweating and feeling awful and struggling to get back to sleep, then being freezing cold.

Okay, sorry I completely skipped this part. Nighttime sweating and freezing may be a symptom of some conditions like hypoglycemia or hormonal problems like thyroid. See if it still continues for a week or two~ enough time to adjust if it's a dietary issue, and if it does you may want to see a physician.

wifealiciousness

Tell me more! I am intreagued, but would rather tackle the cause then start taking pills!

You say that you drink alcohol, this will play havoc with sleep patterns especially if consumed late. It's not something you probably want to hear but cutting that should be priority 1 if you have sleep issues.

Melatonin is a widely used supplement and promotes natural sleep so shouldn't be seen as a 'sleeping pill' with all the 'hangover' effects that can result.

I think from my point of view, my alcohol intake hasn't changed. I've slept well for 27 years and now I can't sleep.

wifealiciousness

Could it be overtraining? I find it hard to sleep when I'm doing too much exercise. You need breaks to relax and let your body rest.

Again, I wouldn't imagine so- as I log all my exercise on endomondo and have done for over a year, and although I'm training more now than I was a few months ago, it's less than I was a year ago.

snacker127

try taking 1 melatonin pill 30 min before bed...this should put you out like a light

This.