How Sleep Effects Your Nutrition
When most people begin on a weight loss journey, they start looking at exercise and calories.
But what if there was a simpler place to start?
Not many of us think about sleep quality as a key factor in the influence of weight management, but as we will discuss below, it could be the missing link for many of us …
One of the hardest parts of dieting is dealing with hunger signals.
It’s logical that we all know exactly what we should be eating- mostly protein and vegetables.
Why then is it so hard to stick to?
When our bodies are deprived of sleep, they produce the hormone ghrelin.
On of ghrelin’s main functions is the regulation of appetite.
When ghrelin levels are higher, you feel hungrier, particularly for foods that are sweeter, and often more processed and less nutritious.
This obviously makes it much harder to stay focussed on your diet and achieve your weight loss goals.
Hunger can be the enemy of our attempts to lose weight, as it forces us to exercise willpower against indulgent foods that are easily over consumed.
The gold standard of successful weight loss nutrition is to consume less, without feeling like you’re restricting yourself.
So, how can we solve this?
There are two main ways that we can balance out rising ghrelin levels…
Get more sleep. Ideally 7-8 hours uninterrupted in a cold, dark room.
Choose filling foods at most of your meals- this means prioritising protein and vegetables.
It is worth noting that ghrelin levels can be increased by factors such as environment, scents, stress and heightened emotional states.
However, the main benefit of point 2 is that it switches our focus from restricting and depriving ourselves on a regular basis, to building a diet based on fulfilment and nourishing your body.
This is a strategy that is crucial for long term nutrition success and developing a positive mindset around our nutrition.
We hope that you found this blog useful.
If you’re looking for more guidance and support with improving your relationship with food, click here for a FREE 30 min clarity call with one of our coaches.