myhealthfuldiet

If you are on a diet or are trying to lose weight, there may be a good reason to head to bed a little earlier each night. Many studies have been conducted on the links between sleep and weight gain, and you may be surprised to learn that the number of hours you spend getting some shut eye at night can impact how much weight you gain or lose. There are a few reasons why this is believed to be true, and your understanding of these reasons may help you to take greater control over your sleep and dieting efforts.

 

Eating for Energy

When you are tired, you often feel inclined to eat for energy. You may not be hungry, and your body may not need food. However, you may feel the urge to have high sugar or carb-loaded foods to boost your energy level. You may also choose sugary sodas and other foods that will give you a quick pick-me-up. When you are eating for energy, you rarely are eating to fulfill a dietary need for nutrition, and this means that you are consuming extra calories that your body may not need simply to find energy to get through the day.

 

Poor Dietary Decisions

Furthermore, when you are tired, you may make poor dietary decisions. For example, you may be so sleep-deprived that you reach for the fast and convenient option rather than the healthy option. You may opt for a candy bar or chips for a snack out of convenience rather than prepare a healthy snack. You may also not think much about your health and well-being when you are excessively tired because you are focused on getting the energy you need to get through the day. This can lead to very poor dietary decisions that ultimately prevent you from achieving your goals.

 

When you are interested in losing weight or simply in maintaining weight, making proper food choices is critical. It can be difficult to make the right food choices when you are exhausted. Simply heading to bed earlier and allowing your body to get ample rest throughout the night can help you to achieve your weight goals.

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