The Overnight Diet: Lose Weight While You Sleep?

Over the past month, I’ve watched the hype spread about the “Overnight Diet.” Those who love the diet say it works—without exercise. That’s the part that really has people buzzing. Caroline Apovian, MD, is an obesity doctor and author of “The Overnight Diet,” a book about an eating/sleep regime which she says can help you lose weight without struggling. But nay-sayers aren’t so sure.

The Diet

According to the book, dieters spend six days out of each week on a high protein diet and one day of each week on a liquid diet. Proponents say the diet allows people to lose weight quickly and easily. Critics say the high protein diet can cause health problems (like high cholesterol and blood pressure)—and that the claim of losing weight while you sleep is misleading.

The Sleep Factor

Apovian claims that a good, full night’s sleep can let you “lose up to two pounds overnight,” according to ABC News. In addition, she says getting plenty of sleep every night keeps you from feeling hunger pangs, since those pangs are often part of the body’s hormonal response to sleep deprivation.

It’s possible that there’s some truth to this diet. There are some interesting connections between hunger, weight, and sleep. Next time, we’ll dig into the science behind sleep and weight. In the meantime, what do you think?

Author Bio: +Michelle Gordon is a sleep expert who researches and writes about sleep and health, and is an online publisher for the latex mattress specialist Latexmattress.org.