Everyone knows that protein is an important part of a healthy diet. However, according to the Rodale Wellness blog, new research from Purdue University found a connection between a high-protein diet, weight loss, and getting a better night’s sleep.
The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, tracked the sleeping patterns of forty-four people over the course of sixteen weeks. The researchers found that participants who ate a diet with higher amounts of protein said that they were able to get better sleep at night. This was opposed to those who lost the same amount of body weight while eating a diet containing more regular amount of protein. The diet was based on low carbohydrates, low fats, and consuming less calories.
The researchers note that other factors to a diet of high protein for weight loss include:
- Retention of lean body mass
- Blood pressure improvement
- Loss of body fat
Sleep is considered an important factor in one’s overall health, so it is encouraging to see
that the quality of one’s sleep can improve during a high protein weight loss regime. The study differs from previous research into the effect of sleep on weight control and diet. Whereas, this research examined how weight control and diet can have an effect on sleep quality.
Rodale Wellness lists twenty foods that contain large amounts of protein. Not surprisingly, many these are animal-based foods such as:
- Salmon
- Turkey
- Cottage Cheese
- Canned Tuna
- Greek Yogurt
- Milk
- Eggs
- Chicken
- Ricotta Cheese
- Swiss Cheese
- Steak
- Bison
- Halibut
- Clams
However, for those who don’t wish to eat foods derived from animals there are several vegetarian options. For instance:
- Lentils
- Tofu
- Quinoa
- Peanut Butter
- Split Peas
- Soybean
Want to know more about the connection between protein, weight loss, and sleep quality?
Read the full article here: Lose Weight and Sleep Better With a Protein-Rich Diet.
