CRUNCHING DURING CORONA, WILLPOWER, AND Zzzzzz's

I just heard a term that made me want to laugh and cry at the same time:

“The Corona Fifteen.” (reminiscent of “The Freshman Fifteen.”)

Just like newbies on a college campus, far from home, we’ve ALL collectively been removed from our comfort zones….and we may find ourselves eating our way through the stress and uncertainty of quarantine life. 

Well, before we shame ourselves, vow to break-up with the carbs, and blame our apparent lack of willpower, we need to first look at an unusual suspect that could be driving our need to feed:  LACK OF SLEEP.  

Many are having a hard time sleeping right now, and that makes total sense.  Our anxieties and fears about life right now are heightened at night when all is quiet and every last distraction is gone.  

Countless long and short term studies have proven this truth: Sleep deprivation is disastrous for our health AND for our waistlines.  One professor at the University of Chicago bluntly stated, “If your goal is to lose fat, skipping sleep is like poking sticks in your bicycle wheels.”

Sleep deprivation is firmly linked to weight gain, obesity, and a higher body mass index with less than 7 hours per night.  Lack of sleep increases appetite because, the less we sleep, the more our tired bodies produce the hunger hormone, ghrelin. Cortisol, a stress hormone, is also increased as we sleep less…and this contributes to fat storage. Sleep deprivation dulls activity in the frontal lobe of the brain (the part responsible for self-control), causing us to increase our calorie intake, and make poorer food choices. Perhaps most alarming of all: just a few days of poor sleep can cause insulin resistance, which is a precursor to weight gain and type 2 diabetes. 

So, how do we usher in a good night’s sleep and end the restless hours of counting sheep? Well, there are MANY ways, and we will dig into those as the weeks continue, but this evening before bed, try my recipe for Turmeric Golden Milk.  This anti-inflammatory drink warms the body and eases the effects of stress.  

TURMERIC GOLDEN MILK

*An anti-inflammatory drink and sleep aid!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unsweetened milk of choice (I use almond)

• 1 tablespoon raw honey

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• Dash of nutmeg

• Dash of black pepper

   

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook at a simmer for about five minutes or until all the ingredients have come together, revealing a smooth consistency and golden-yellow color. Pour into a mug and garnish with cinnamon. Enjoy!

Stay Healthy & Well,

Lori Z.