The Connection Between Sleep and Hunger

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CLEVELAND - Many of us struggle to get enough sleep and find ourselves paying for it the next day.

But not getting a good night’s rest can have you feeling more than just tired and groggy – it can also make you hungrier.

“Sleep regulates the release of hormones, and some of those hormones include the appetite hormones,” explained Nancy Foldvary, DO, a sleep specialist for Cleveland Clinic.

When we’re sleep deprived, Dr. Foldvary said our appetite hormones get thrown off and may make us eat more the next day.

Not only that, but we also tend to crave more unhealthy foods when we’re tired.

Dr. Foldvary said this is one of the many reasons why getting a good night’s rest is key to our overall health.

If you're having trouble sleeping, it's important to create a regular nighttime routine and aim to wake up at the same time each day.

Dr. Foldvary added that avoiding an afternoon cup of coffee can help as well.

“Caffeine can have a widely variable half-life. It can linger in the central nervous system far beyond what you might expect. Some of us are sensitive to this and really can't have caffeine beyond early morning,” Dr. Foldvary said. “Certainly, drinking caffeine or eating foods with caffeine in them, including chocolate, after noon or 2 p.m. is likely to lead to some sleep fragmentation.”

If you continue to toss and turn at night, Dr. Foldvary recommends seeing a sleep specialist for help and to rule out any underlying sleep disorders.