Getting adequate sleep is very important for the human body, and so is eating correctly. However, sometimes one has to pick between going to bed on an empty stomach and being hungry or taking some time to prepare a meal before bed. What if you could trick your stomach into thinking it is full, allowing you to have a good sleep even when you don’t eat an extensive course before going to bed? Continue reading to find out how.
In a hurry? The best way to trick your stomach and allow you to fall asleep with ease is to drink two glasses of water or have a small snack that will make you feel like you are full. If you are in the mood for something salty, then Quaker Large Rice Cakes are a great choice, and if you are craving for for something sweet, a bit of Lindt Excellence Bar Dark Chocolate is perfect to snack on before bed.
Why Is It So Hard To Fall Asleep Hungry
Being distracted by hunger when you are trying to sleep is very similar to the phenomenon of trying to sleep when you have something important on your mind, as you cannot focus on trying to sleep, but instead, you are focusing on hunger.
There is a scientific explanation for why it is harder to fall asleep when feeling hungry. The main two reasons are leptin and ghrelin. Leptin is a hormone that helps regulate body weight, and it also sends signals to the brain that the body is satisfied, which then suppresses ghrelin from being secreted.
Ghrelin is the hormone that makes the brain know that you are hungry. With leptin, it works like a see-saw. If there is enough leptin in your body, the ghrelin levels are low, and if there is enough ghrelin, the leptin levels are low.
Going To Bed Hungry Can’t Sleep: How To Fall Asleep When Hungry
The easiest way to trick your brain into thinking that your hunger is sated when you feel like going to bed hungry is to drink some water or eat some snacks. Drinking water is the best option, as it will lead to the feeling of being full, reducing hunger significantly.
You should avoid drinking alcohol at all costs because it reduces your natural REM sleep and intervenes with the quality of sleep you are getting. If you do not feel like drinking water only, you can use some fruit and create a quick shake.
Is It Bad To Go To Sleep Hungry
If you are trying to go to sleep when you are feeling hungry, it might be completely fine to provide enough nutrition to your body. However, there is a very high chance that this backfires, as you could end up getting less sleep than necessary. Even if you manage to fall asleep, you will often wake up, which will make you lose a significant portion of that deep sleep stage.
You will also gain some weight over time by lacking sleep, but that is not the biggest concern. What a person should worry about the most when they go to bed hungry because the body will start breaking down muscles for energy, which will reduce muscle mass over time.
In general, it is not worth going to sleep on an empty stomach, and getting up for a quick 5-minute snack or just drinking a glass of water is a much better trade-off than getting the adverse side effects of lacking quality sleep.
Does Sleeping On Empty Stomach Has Any Benefits
While hunger pains are usually not something a person wants to deal with when trying to go to bed, as they will have a hard time doing so, there are some benefits to sleeping on an empty stomach. The most significant advantage is that it will help your body rejuvenate by going through a detox process. This is best done if you follow a diet or go fasting during the whole day.
What To Eat If You Can’t Fall Asleep?
There are all kinds of snacks one could eat if they feel hungry and want to sleep. You should avoid big meals, and instead, you should snack something in smaller amounts like rice cakes, dark chocolate, bananas, almonds, peanuts, or hummus. Going for snacks that are easy to prepare or straight out of the bag is the best choice.
How To Go To Bed Hungry FAQ
Can I Fall Asleep On An Empty Stomach?
It is possible to fall asleep on an empty stomach. However, it is not advised unless you have a particular diet or fasting. It is also harder to fall asleep when you’re hungry. For me, personally, it is almost impossible to fall asleep when I’m hungry.
Will You Lose Weight If You Go To Bed Hungry?
If you go to bed hungry, the body will keep the insulin levels low, which will help facilitate weight loss. However, this is only true if you manage to get enough sleep because lacking sleep will make you gain weight over time.
Is It Harder To Sleep When Hungry
Trying to go to bed when you are feeling hungry will make falling asleep more complex, and not only that but there are high chances you will wake up frequently due to hunger even if you manage to fall asleep hungry. Naturally, you will have a harder time falling asleep again if you wake up because of hunger.
Final Words About How To Sleep When Hungry
There are various ways how one can trick their mind into sleeping, even on an empty stomach. Going to sleep without eating anything is done easily if you drink some water, or even better, a shake. However, when you are hungry and exhausted, it is best to simply snack on some rice cakes or dark chocolate, as they are easy to consume and easy on the stomach, making them perfect options before bed. Okay, go to sleep now and have a great day tomorrow!
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