The Stronger By Science Podcast

Sleep and Nutrition: Pre-Sleep Snacks, and How Your Diet Impacts Your Sleep

Episode Summary

The industry for pre-sleep supplements, foods, and products is booming. But what actually works, and how much does our diet actually impact our sleep quality and quantity? Greg and Lyndsey talk about how pre-sleep products are marketed, break down the science behind popular sleep supplements (like melatonin, magnesium, lavender, and more), and discuss how macronutrient distributions influence sleep. They also answer a few listener questions about pre-sleep protein and about the impact of eating meals right before bedtime.

Episode Notes

The industry for pre-sleep supplements, foods, and products is booming. But what actually works, and how much does our diet actually impact our sleep quality and quantity? Greg and Lyndsey talk about how pre-sleep products are marketed, break down the science behind popular sleep supplements (like melatonin, magnesium, lavender, and more), and discuss how macronutrient distributions influence sleep. They also answer a few listener questions about pre-sleep protein and about the impact of eating meals right before bedtime. 

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TIME STAMPS

Note: The full list of sources and notes can be found on the episode page on strongerbyscience.com here: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-118/

• Intro (0:00)
• What’s on your mind? (0:27)
• Plugs (10:03)
• Sweet Dreams cereal (13:53)
• Other pre-sleep food brands/claims – Nightfood and Sleepy Chocolate (36:06)
• Ingredients purported to improve sleep: Zinc, Folic Acid, B Vitamins, Lavender, Chamomile, Typrophan, Magnesium, Melatonin, and Valerian (44:33)
• Recommendations for pre-sleep meal/snacks (1:30:14)
• How macronutrient distributions influence sleep (1:37:06)
• Sugar/Carbohydrates (1:46:40)
• Protein (2:01:20)
• Fat (2:03:47)
• General wrap-up and final thoughts (2:07:20)

Listener Questions:

• Should you still eat protein before bed if doing so decreases sleep quality? (2:10:57)
• Do you need a slow-digesting protein before sleep? (2:15:09)
• Are there benefits of eating additional total calories (including carbs and carbohydrate) right before bed? (2:25:09)

Note: The full list of sources and notes can be found on the episode page on strongerbyscience.com here: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-118/

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