repost: Last week I did some reading about the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), and I decided to try a version of it based on _DASH Diet Weight Loss Solution_ (Heller). (FYI, DASH is a "diet" in the sense of the kinds of food one regularly eats as opposed to "to diet" in the sense of being a highly restrictive unsustainable plan.)

The first two weeks I'm to omit grains, starches, added sugar, and fruit, and then incorporate fruit and whole grains in after this initial period. (The regular DASH eating plan recommends vegetables, whole grains, fruit, low- or no-fat dairy, lean proteins, with some nuts/seeds/legumes and fats/sweets, so it's a sensible eating plan that is doable, for me, long-term with noted health benefits.)

I read that I should anticipate some low energy/tiredness while omitting the grains, starches, fruit, and added sugar. I felt fine in the daytime, but I found myself falling asleep anywhere between 9 pm-11pm, and then sleeping 8+ hours each night, even after the first day. This, to me, is nothing short of an answered prayer because although I had been a good sleeper all my life, that changed two years ago when I want through a time of chronic stress. Since then, my sleep cycle has been so wacky...up at night/all night, sleepy during the day, unable to sleep for more than 3-4 hours a stretch.

As you know, sleep deprivation affects everything, so having a healthy sleep cycle this past week has made me incredibly happy and relieved.

So...that's what I learned last week, my dietary choices influence my ability to sleep (or not sleep), and that's good to know.