Having a regular sleeping pattern is essential to making sure that you have enough energy throughout your day. It also assists in keeping you motivated to choose healthy meal options and provides you with sufficient energy for regular physical activity to keep you fit.

Appetite-regulating hormones such as ‘leptins’ are produced during sleep, but lack of adequate sleep reduces their production, which in turn makes the body crave unhealthy foods that are very low in nutrition.

Psychological studies have clearly demonstrated that a lack of quality sleep (sleep deprivation) increases the likelihood of engaging in unhealthy behaviours, such as eating foods with a high sugar or high fat content. This is often used as a coping mechanism when your body and mind become quite fatigued.

It is not unusual for teenagers to struggle with falling asleep and to maintain a regular sleep pattern during childhood and adolescence, as they are going through further cognitive development. Ironically, this is the developmental phase where they require the most energy so the body can produce normal hormones, such as testosterone. 

The brain requires a high source of energy to process and retain information effectively. Getting ample rest will ensure that you have more energy to spare on many other activities such as cooking, going for a walk, going to the gym and socialising with family and friends.