Yes! Rest, recovery, and sleep all impact your metabolism and affect everything from hormone balance to will power. For optimal performance on any meal plan, adequate sleep is essential. Most people need 7-9 hours per night, but the average person gets less. We’ve all pulled our fair share of late nights, but before you reach for the late night caffeine, think about the consequences.
- Impulse control and the ability to delay gratification are lower in sleep-deprived individuals.
Irregular and reduced sleep patterns are associated with increased cravings for hyperpalatable foods (think high fat, sugar, and salt) and an inability to properly assess portion sizes, which could lead to overeating all the wrong things. Even worse, these sleep patterns have been associated with poor blood sugar control and insulin resistance.
- There is a strong correlation between inadequate sleep, less than 5-6 hours per night and the development of obesity, as well as diabetes.
Another factor to consider is the impact of inadequate sleep on athletic performance and recovery. Did you know that seventy-five percent of human growth hormone is produced during sleep? Simply put, less sleep means less muscle growth. You need sleep if you want to meet the strongest, healthiest version of yourself.