What’s the deal with sleeping and eating?
So I have a problem. A huge problem, as a matter of fact. It has to do with food and sleep. Here’s the situation, and there are 2 parts to it:
Situation 1) I come home from work completely exhausted, and (accidentally) end up falling asleep…for generally no longer than 30 mins. Upon waking up, I am completely and totally ravenous, and will eat anything in my path. More often than not (oh who am I kidding…practically every single time) it’s carbohydrates…simple, bad for you, carbohydrates. I don’t understand where this compulsion comes from, but it feels like sleep brings it on full force.
Situation 2) I go to sleep at a reasonable hour (generally 11pm) and wake up a few hours later to use the bathroom. Upon waking, I have this insatiable urge to eat sweets…I’m talking anything I can get my paws on…especially cookies. And then I have the audacity (keep in mind I’m half asleep while I’m doing this) to wash it down with a cold glass of milk.
What in the world is going on? I never do this during my waking hours…why would sleep bring on this incessant need? I’ve wondered in the past if I might be diabetic…or have a thyroid problem…something that could explain this weird neurosis of mind. But alas, I’m find.
Has anybody ever experienced anything like this? If so, were you able to overcome it, and how? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks folks!
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I don’t know whether sleep has anything to do with it or not, but I am a sugar and refined carbs addict. It was a vicious cycle with me. I overcame it by 2 weeks of Phase I South Beach. It’s very very restrictive, and I don’t normally recommend diets such as this, or “diets” of any kind for that matter, but it DID get me past my cravings for these foods, jump start my metabolism, and made it easier for me to go into my healthy eating plan. The first 2 days were really tough, but it did become easier, and it is a LOT easier for me now to deal with any temptation of these types of foods.
hmm,
It’s interesting…I think we are spirtual twins. Situation 1 doesn’t happen to me, but situation 2 does, all the time. I don’t know what possesses me. I wake up to pee, or let the dogs out and if there is any sort of treat in the fridge, I get it out and eat it. Wierd. Maybe it is a low blood sugar thing, you wake up and your blood sugar is low, and carbs are the thing that boosts them up the quickest. I don’t know. I used to attribute it to my compulsive/over eating problem.
hmm..I wonder if phase one of the south beach diet WOULD work?
I use to do the same exact thing. Just have to really fight those urges! YOu can do it!
Sometimes, I think that it is just because you are too tired to fight the cravings, and your sub-conscious is taking over. It used to happen to me all the time, and it still will on occasion.
As far as ditching the cravings…you got me, but as far as controlling the outcome..I have found that my best bet is just keeping the cookies, etc out of the house. I seem to have a lot more self control at the supermarket than I do at 2a.m. at home!! This is not to say to never have a cookie again, but when I really want something I’ll go pick up a single serving Oreo pack at the 7-11 rather than buying a whole package (which I have been know to consume in a single serving)!!
I told someone on here about my therapist telling me that our defenses are at their weakest point directly before sleep and on waking. I went for grief consuling because I would wake and swear I heard my husband in the next room. Sometimes just before falling asleep I would feel him sitting down on the edge of the bed. I thought I was going bonkers and needed help. I do know those feelings are gone now, but I have the same cravings at those times. I just won’t allow myself near the kitchen. Best of luck with this. At least we know why this happens. He gave me a long explanation of this, but that is what it came down to. Marge
for the last 2 weeks i find myself in front of the fridge more often than not at 2 or 3 am.
I thought maybe I was the only one who had this problem lol I do wonderful all day and then
those little monsters get me in the night.
going to try to have some cold lemon water in the
fridge and drink some of that to see if it helps.
good luck to us all with these night time
monsters
WOW, this is exactly my problem that I am working to overcome.