Sweet Sleep Blog

Delicious and Healthy Bedtime Snacks These mixes of carbs and protein increase serotonin levels which leads to better sleep. 1/2 cup whole-grain cereal with 1/2 cup nonfat milk 6 ounces low-fat yogurt and a sprinkling of berries 1 slice whole wheat toast and 1 tablespoon peanut butter 3.5 ounces fat-free vanilla pudding and 4 graham crackers 1/2 whole wheat pita and 2 tablespoons hummus 1 oatmeal raisin cookie and 8 ounces skim milk 6 whole-grain crackers and a small handful of walnuts

Eat well, sleep well As we've discussed before, diet is a huge part of your health.  When you eat well you are healthier.  A great diet leads to better health and better sleep. What you eat can effect your sleep greatly, like when you eat sugary snacks to get you through the morning then by afternoon you're crashing.   Instead of reaching for those sugary snacks in the morning, start off with a great breakfast like this one!  Open-Faced Broiled Egg, Spinach, Tomato Sandwich Skip a drive-thru egg sandwich and make this easy-to-prepare one at home. (It uses hard-boiled eggs, so you don’t even have to soil a pan.) Spinach and tomatoes provide valuable vitamins and antioxidants; a fiber-filled whole wheat English muffin combined with protein in the egg helps you stay satiated through lunchtime. PREP TIME: 10 minutes TOTAL TIME: 13 minutes SERVINGS: 1 ½ whole wheat english muffin ¼ c fresh spinach, cooked and squeezed dry (about 4 o...

Insomnia We've talked about insomnia over the past couple of days.  Many times people will go undiagnosed with a sleep disorder, feeling that they're just a light sleeper, or that they just don't need a lot of sleep to function.  The truth is that you do need sleep.  Your body cannot function correctly without enough sleep and it is very rare for a person to actually need under 7 to 8 hours of sleep.  Many common signs of insomnia are Fatigue Problems with attention, concentration or memory (cognitive impairment) Poor performance at school or work Moodiness or irritability Daytime sleepiness Impulsiveness or aggression Lack of energy or motivation Errors or accidents Concern or frustration about your sleep If you are suffering from any of these symptoms you should consider speaking with a sleep specialist.   Insomnia or Not? How do you know if it's insomnia keeping you up?  Sometimes it's not a disorder at all that keeps yo...

Nutrition Nutrition is one of the key parts of being healthy and keeping your body on track to get the sleep it needs.  Getting a good night's sleep involves so many factors including having a good diet.  This recipe is amazing if you are suffering from Insomnia. Berry Smoothie 1/4 cup frozen strawberries 1/4 cup frozen blueberries 1/2 cup spinach 1/2 banana A handful of walnuts 2 tbsp raw honey Why This smoothie is perfect for great sleep because it is full of tryptophan.  This is an amino acid that is perfect for helping you fall asleep.  When your body breaks down tryptophan is turned it into serotonin and melatonin and this helps your body start the sleep process. 

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."  Virginia Woolf This quote perfectly explains the relationship between your diet and your health.  At the very core of your health is the nutrition you put into your body.  The food you eat should contain nutrition that will give you the vitamins, protein, calories, minerals, etc., that our bodies need to thrive.  Without the correct balance of nutrition we can be left feeling sluggish, hungry even after a meal, or even ill.  Get in the right nutrition Most of us know the importance of having the right balance of fruits, veggies, protein, grains, fats, etc., in our diets.  There is more to finding the right nutrition for your body that needs to be considered.  Many people have intolerances to food that they may not even be aware of.  Dairy and gluten are the biggest hidden sensitivites.  These can cause many health problems that aren't as obvious as perhaps a ...