Can a good night's sleep help your diet?

A variety of studies suggest that getting at least seven hours' sleep every night can significantly improve the chance of losing weight while on a diet.

There is a growing body of evidence that a lack of sleep enhances hunger signals in the brain and increases levels of hormones which affect our appetite, causing us to eat more.

One recent study (Nedeltcheva et al (2010) insufficient sleep undermines dietary efforts to reduce adiposity. Ann Intern Med. 153 (7), 435-41) looked into whether shorter-sleep times compromised the effect of a reduced-calorie diet on excess adiposity (fat!). The participants were given a similar calorie-restricted diet to encourage weight loss and were assigned to a group with either 8.5 hours of sleep allowed or 5.5 hours.

Results showed that although both groups lost a comparable amount of weight, those not getting enough sleep decreased the amount of weight lost as fat by up to 55% and increased the loss of fat-free body mass by up to 60%! Other findings showed the group with less sleep also reported increased hunger throughout.

Caron Leckie, nutritionist at leading delivered diet company, Diet Chef, comments "A major drawback is that the study examined a small number of people so it is by no means conclusive however the challenges of achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight are complex and include a variety of factors – this merely suggests that getting a good's night sleep might be one for further investigation!

Diet Chef carefully counts the calories of all meals so dieters on the plan will be averaging less than 1,200 calories per day. The daily menu allows you to get delicious home delivered food, as well as offering a tasty and varied, healthy balanced plan encouraging dieters to lose weight at a healthy pace.

Those on the diet looking to check their own progress can do so using the weight loss calculator as well as sharing their weight loss success stories via the website or Diet Chef social media channels.

Visit the website: www.dietchef.co.uk
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Contact details:

Name: Diet Chef Three Sixty Communications
Telephone: 0207 580 8360
Email: dietchef@360team.co.uk