Why do I crave when I'm SLEEPY?

kms1104

I remember reading once that there's a biological reason of why we crave "comfort" foods when we're tired and/or stressed, but I can't remember what it is. Do any of you nutrition buffs know?

It's such a pain because of course if you're tired or stressed, healthy food and some exercise can really turn your attitude around... This week has been back to work for me (a teacher), and crazy getting back in the routine. Tuesday and Thursdays I work a 2nd job until about 8pm after school. This Wednesday I was on a roll in my classroom, so stayed until after 6 (got there at 7am)...By yesterday I caved and got a Wendy's doublestack as a "snack" eventhough I was planned out pretty well for the day. I made up for it in exercise, but feel like it'd be SO much easier if my body just wanted healthy foods when I'm that tired. I also lack the willpower to fight cravings when I'm that sleepy. It's not too hard when I'm feeling awake and rested, but man...

cygnetpro

Once someone on here posted a great article from the New York Times on "decision fatigue". Basically, all day long we make decision after decision. Some of us in stressful jobs make important decisions all day long. It's mentally exhausting. And then, in the evening, we are no longer as sharp or fresh mentally, and we start making wrong decisions. That makes sense to me. I have no trouble resisting all sorts of fattening stuff all day, but by evening, my willpower starts to erode.

Not sure if that applies to your question, but for me it seems to explain a lot. :-)

cygnetpro

Here's the article. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/magazine/do-you-suffer-from-decision-fatigue.html?pagewanted=all

foreversunshine1

I couldn't sleep all night a few nights ago and I went through this very thing the day after . I think it's because when we feel bad, tired or stressed, the body craves things that will help us feel better...comfort foods are an attempt to feel better. I was aware why the cravings were happening, so I made decisions to do what I could to feel better, drink plenty of water, eat fruit and exercised. I made it without caving in!

kms1104

Once someone on here posted a great article from the New York Times on "decision fatigue". Basically, all day long we make decision after decision. Some of us in stressful jobs make important decisions all day long. It's mentally exhausting. And then, in the evening, we are no longer as sharp or fresh mentally, and we start making wrong decisions. That makes sense to me. I have no trouble resisting all sorts of fattening stuff all day, but by evening, my willpower starts to erode.

Not sure if that applies to your question, but for me it seems to explain a lot. :-)

Awesome... this does make sense. I make a million decisions a day, and I DO notice that I pick fast food because it's "easy" and yummy. I have learned to though something about stress, and maybe cortisol (?) levels or something like that, where it's biological as well. Thanks ladies.

SuperstarDJ

If you're not getting enough sleep, your levels of Gherlin (hormone that stimulates appetite) go up and levels of Leptin (hormone that tells your brain you're full) goes down. Therefore you are a lot more hungry but never satisfied. A recent study showed that after just 2 days of getting less than 8 hours sleep, participants' Gherlin levels went up, Leptin went down and their desire for high carbohydrate, calorie-dense foods increased by 45%.

You can read more here: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/lose-weight-while-sleeping

ginnylee74

Here's the article. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/magazine/do-you-suffer-from-decision-fatigue.html?pagewanted=all

After reading this article, it answers the question of why after being in town all day grocery shopping, keeping appointments, etc., that when I get home and need to fix dinner I always seem to pick easy foods. :blushing: Pizza, or even sandwich's. If I had planned something for dinner that was healthy, it was put off till the next day. After eating not so healthy foods I seem to gain a bit at my next day's weigh in.:grumble: Next time I have to spend the day in town I will do a crock pot meal. Duh. (That took a lot of thought.) lol: :laugh:

dianuhmonkey

I totally do this too but it is more noticeable when I am overly tired. It sucks big time and since I am an emotional eater it gets worse when I am stress. I try to remind myself that that ice cream sandwich is not going to make me feel better or those brownies in the long run. Moving this last week was worse with all the packing and not enough sleep that I totally fell off the MFP wagon so to speak. And I keep reading that it has to do with hormone levels and the way they fluctuate. Annoying I think

Also ginnylee74 crock pot meals are a lifesaver!!!!!!

ErnestinesMom

If you're not getting enough sleep, your levels of Gherlin (hormone that stimulates appetite) go up and levels of Leptin (hormone that tells your brain you're full) goes down. Therefore you are a lot more hungry but never satisfied. A recent study showed that after just 2 days of getting less than 8 hours sleep, participants' Gherlin levels went up, Leptin went down and their desire for high carbohydrate, calorie-dense foods increased by 45%.

You can read more here: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/lose-weight-while-sleeping

This is great...ty!

digitalalchemy

The best book I have read on cravings is call the "The Diet Cure." Generally it has to do with neurotransmitter depletion: if dopamine or seratonin are low, then you crave sugar/salt/carbs. Check out the book and a quiz at this website. A few over the counter supplements can boost neurotransmitters and end cravings....it's AWESOME!!! I've had really good success with it. No more sugar cravings.

http://www.dietcure.com/take_the_quick_symptoms_questionnaire.html