Comments on: Do Grains and Sugar Affect Sleep? — My Experiment

By: Steffon

Steffon — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:59:29 +0000

This has definitely worked out for me. Cut out MOST of the carbs and stack up on the salads. Fruits, nuts, vegetables, olive oil, and meat is all I eat now; with an occasional slice of bread here and there. And I eat much less than I used to, which gives me a ton of energy! Awesome website, everything is basically scientifically proven and has immediate and strong effects.

By: Nico

Nico — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:02:47 +0000

We still need carbs for serotonin. I used to go low on carbs, not because of dieting but because after the salads (a lot of veg+fruit, 2 bowls) + a nice peace of meat I’d usually be too full for rice or potatoes. I had very bad sleeping problems – unable to fall asleep, unable to stay asleep, and depression. This all improved after eating lots of carbs – potatoes, rice.

By: Susana

Susana — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:27:56 +0000

I read up on candida and tried a severe anti candida diet – I lost weight with the ketosis, had bags more energy and felt 20 years younger. I gradually tapered off many of the restricted items and took a lot of various suplements for gut flora to rebuild balance and gut health. I took reccomended chromium picolinate to balance insulin sensitivity which did seem to reduce cravings.
I now try to stay on the lo carb wagon – diet includes oily fish, lots of veg, nuts & seeds, berries and low sugar fruits; grapefruit,kiwi,pear salad stuff, avocados, olives, teas, tofu, poultry, eggs, meat, virgin cold pressed oils; inc coconut oil. I pace dairy products and v. ocassionally have one small portion of quinoa or brown rice because I cook for family. A carb window a couple of hours after weight training is the recommended time for carb utilisation. (Sports Nutrition Guide, Dr. Michael Colgan; antiaging & sports medicine research Link: http://www.colganinstitute.com/).

Re. Low carb living/paleolithic diet also check out: http://www.LeslieKenton.com
watch the documentary.

I definitely feel better without refined sugars and on the low carb/high(good)fat diet.
If I want a really sweet creamy taste i mix ricotta or greek yoghurt with vanilla & Stevia. Leslie kenton’s books suggest some interesting low carb recipes.
On days i need extreme energy, but don’t want a full tummy, (I dance flamenco), I use superfood, creamed coconut – mixed with water it is like coconut milk.(It is fantastic with spicy chicken dishes)… Whey protein is a good supplement.
Creamed coconut is very nutritious and satisfying.

I feel heavier when I eat refined carbs/bread – apparently carbs use more water to metabolise which can be a cuase of retention – thus explaining instant weight gain when switching energy systems, or being indulgent.

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:58:59 +0000

I stay away from refined sugar like the plague. Since I have IBS, sugar, grains, and dairy have always effected my digestive system in very unpleasant ways. It wasn’t until I got very strict with myself and completely cut out refined sugar & products filled with preservatives and grains that the insomnia I had been battling went away. I mean, I would go 2-3 nights with no sleep and then HAVE to take a sleeping pill because I was a walking zombie. After 1 day of no sugar or ‘fake food’ I slept like a baby. If I screw up and eat something I shouldn’t I can’t sleep that night. Recently I added in oats..at first I had no problems but then I started not sleeping again and I cut out the oats and my sleep returned.
Our bodies do not need grains. We think we do but we don’t. I also recovered from IBS-C symptoms and an arthritic eye condition called Iritis when I stopped those foods. I believe arthritis can be overcome with the food we put in our body. Along with digestive disorders like IBS, Colitis, etc.
I eat the same diet as sleep warrior posted except I do eat bananas, pineapple and high sugar fruits after a workout. They are utilized better at this time.

By: William

William — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:47:53 +0000

Hi, for someone that is very active…i.e. sprints, intervals, hills, lots of weights, is a diet that’s virtualy no-carbs sustainable? Also interested in finding out how it’s affected your finances.

By: D

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:38:45 +0000

you can eat your high-sugar fruits immediately after you exercise..that’s because the muscles are hungry for sugar by then, so you won’t have that much of an insulin spike..

By: Use Ketosis to Train Your Brain to Sleep Less

Use Ketosis to Train Your Brain to Sleep Less — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 01:39:26 +0000

[...] You can also read my other article, Do Grains and Sugar Affect Sleep Duration? [...]

By: Jayme

Jayme — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:42:39 +0000

I’m testing out a non MSG diet and I mean….absolutely NOTHING that creates MSG when processed. Since I’ve been on it I’ve noticed I become very drowsy. I used to have problems sleeping, but since I’ve done this I’ve noticed a drastic change in energy. I’ve also started to try to omit all Glutamate, wheat, dairy, soy…and the affects are even more extreme. Not really sure if its my body perhaps “recovering” from so many years of MSG damage…or if its directly linked to the meal itself. I’ve also had a lot of trouble finding information about sleep and dieting specific to MSG and glutamate. Any information is greatly appreciated!!!

By: George

George — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:40:13 +0000

I would like to see you add fruits like banana’s back into your diet and chart the results for a month. Then add complex carbs back in, whole grains, etc. in moderate amounts and chart the results. I have noticed what I feel is a direct connection between larger amounts of sugar/insulin and reduced levels of alertness/memory. I am hoping this is on a refined level and not a natural level.

By: SleepWarrior

SleepWarrior — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:17:12 +0000

@Someone: There will always be argument and conflicting “evidence” on either side of just about any dietary stance.

My personal stance concerning animal products is that high-quality animal products are healthy (for example, I try to buy eggs that come from local farms where the hens live as close to their natural lifestyle as possible).

I have this stance because animal products have been a significant part of the human diet for our 2.5 million year history. Our genes evolved with their inclusion in mind.

I’ve been 100% vegetarian before (1.5 years) and actually felt very poor because I was replacing calories with unnecessary sugar and starches.

A good book that deals with the myths of low-fat and low-cholesterol diets is “Good Calories, Bad Calories” by Gary Taubes.

-Jeff