I’m 6’1", 200 pounds. Been lifting for a couple of years.
I’m not some skinny kid who’s paranoid about gaining a little body fat. But, like a lot of people, I’m trying to put on some more mass while minimizing fat gain in the process.
I’m probably eating 50% carbs, 25% protein, and 25% fat. I’m trying to eat lots of carbs and protein during the day and around training times, then switch to lots of protein and fats at night.
The problem is, I’m finding it hard to sleep without eating some kind of starch (bread, rice, oatmeal, etc). If I avoid starches before bed, and I actually do fall asleep, I end waking up a few hours later, starving.
I can’t sleep if I don’t feel satiated, and I don’t feel satiated without eating a lot of starches. Chicken breasts with vegetables and olive oil doesn’t do it for me. Neither does protein powder and flax oil. Even if I have tons of it.
Does anybody else experience this? Any tips on what to do about it?
I used to have the same problem. The waking up in the middle of the night,starving part, anyway. I, now, eat a bowl of cottage cheese before bed. Sometimes I add a small amount of fruit or a scoop of protein powder. that seems to get me through until morning but, I still wake up starving.
Like the above said I was going to suggest fruit. That and a hell load of veggies this should keep you full and have minimal impact.’
Nothing else bro oats aint going to kill ya at night. Your training hard etc, if a bowl of oats and protain helps you sleep get more rest and perform better the next day by all means do it.
i’m with you and i sleep awesome if i eat pasta before bed . anyway usually cottage cheese gets me through. alternatively i’ll have a protein shake made w/ 1/2 can or so coconut milk.
I also do cottage cheese and small amounts of fruit for my nightly before bed meal.
However, I wash it down with about a tablespoon or 2 of either flaxmeal or metamucil. With a large dose of fiber after your last meal, you feel very full for the entire night.
Additionaly, you could also try eating a full crown of broccoli (about a 1/2 pound, super low-cal), and a protein shake/or cottage cheese, if you have the room for it. Doesn’t work for everyone. I just happen to love these foods, so it’s pretty easy and doesnt change my eating schedules.
I agree as well that low-carb clean foods aren’t really filling, but a stomach full of fiber is a stomach that stays full a long time.
It sounds like you are having difficulty falling asleep due to low serotonin levels.
When I am on a carb restricted diet I find it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. This is due to reduced serotonin release. A carbohydrate load increases the release of this calming neurotransmitter hence your craving for starchy carbs at night.
Try using 5HTP (five hydroxy tryptophan) as it increases serotonin without the starchy carbs and will allow you to stick to your diet, and get a good night’s sleep.