Unveiling the connection between sleep deprivation and food cravings, wellness experts prescribe solutions for a good night's rest
Luke Coutinho
Tossing and turning all night only to wake up craving sugary treats or salty fries? Your late-night binges might not be solely driven by taste. There's a surprising connection between sleep deprivation and unhealthy food cravings, and science has begun to unravel the why behind it. Wellness experts are shedding light on this fascinating link, explaining how a lack of shut-eye can wreak havoc on our appetite. “Managing food cravings doesn't require watching tons of motivational videos, or beating yourself up every time you give in to those temptations. It simply demands patience to understand why your body craves certain things unexpectedly, and calls for mindful introspection to identify unmet needs, whether they are nutritional or emotional. The focus should lie on cooperating with your body instead of harbouring feelings of resentment and guilt or questioning your discipline and willpower. Out of the many reasons behind food cravings is sleep deprivation,” suggests integrative lifestyle expert Luke Coutinho.