
There’s a growing body of research showing that sleep and food are closely connected, with each influencing the other. Poor sleep can lead to cravings for unhealthy foods, and what you eat can also impact how well you sleep.
Foods high in sugar, fat, or those that are highly processed can disrupt sleep.
In turn, poor sleep increases the production of hunger hormones, which can lead to cravings for high-calorie and processed foods that further disrupt sleep. Additionally, when we’re tired, we’re more vulnerable to our emotions and may seek food for comfort or pleasure rather than genuine hunger.
Research has also shown that targeting a regular, well-balanced diet—like the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes a variety of colourful fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, legumes, and lean meats—has a positive impact on both sleep quantity and quality.
Practicing healthy sleep habits that ensure we get enough rest each night, positively influences the food choices we make throughout the day, especially in the hours leading up to bed.
Curious to learn more about sleep and sleeping well?