Food as Sleep Medicine

Food as Sleep Medicine

Food as Sleep Medicine

Fruits, veggies and stethescope

Need a kickstart to healthier habits?

Enroll in Kickstart to Lose Belly Fat and Live Healthy ($47)

Ready to Kickstart to lost belly fat and live healthier?

7-Day Mini-Course designed to kickstart real, lasting health. This isn’t another “perfect plan.”
It’s your real-life solution for getting healthy without overhauling your life overnight.

Hosted by:

Vickie Petz Kasper, M.D.

American Board of Lifestyle Medicine Diplomate

Learn more about Dr. Vickie

Three Simple Strategies to Sleep Better

Download your free cheat sheet to start sleeping smarter tonight.

What If the Answer Is in Your Pantry?

You’ve scanned labels and sipped sleepy teas, but what if the secret to better sleep is already on your plate?

In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, we bust myths and get real about how everyday foods affect your sleep-wake cycle. From caffeine hiding in decaf drinks to that heavy steak sabotaging your slumber, I take you from your pantry to mini medical school—sharing how nutrients like tryptophan, magnesium, B vitamins, and fiber-rich foods work with your body’s chemistry to help you fall and stay asleep.

You’ll walk away knowing:

  • The worst foods to eat before bed—and how they throw off your hormones

     

  • Surprising foods that naturally promote melatonin and serotonin

     

  • Why nuts, seeds, leafy greens, fruits (hi, kiwi! 👋), and legumes are your sleep BFFs

     

It’s time to skip the gimmicks and eat your way to better rest. Because better sleep means better health—and healthy looks great on you.

What do a fur trapper’s gunshot wound, Pavlov’s drooling dogs, and the vagus nerve have in common? They all tell the story of the gut-brain axis—a powerful connection between what happens in your belly and how you think, feel, eat, and sleep.

In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie takes you from 1800s medical oddities to modern lifestyle medicine insights. Learn how your gut influences mood, anxiety, cravings, and belly fat—and what you can do about it naturally.

✨ You’ll learn:

  • How your gut acts like a second brain

  • What the vagus nerve does (besides sounding fancy)

  • Why fiber, probiotics, and stress management are crucial for gut-brain health

  • Natural tips to feel less bloated, more focused, and truly satisfied

🧠💚 Want a better mood, healthier digestion, and long-term weight loss? It all starts in your gut.

🎧 Listen, laugh, and learn with Dr. Vickie

🎧 Listen to Episode 178 now!

And, if you need a kickstart on your strategy, join my 7-day 👉 Mini Course: Kickstart Because healthy starts from the inside—and looks great on you. ❤️For only $47, you’ll get simple, science-backed daily habits delivered directly to your Inbox. I’ll walk you through building momentum, restoring balance, and the steps to take to start loving your body again.

RESOURCES:

Three Simple Strategies for Better Sleep (FREE)

Sign up for podcasts and newsletter (recipes and more) by email

Free Pantry Guide

 

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Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That Works

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Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That WorksEnroll in Kickstart to Lose Belly Fat and Live Healthy ($47)7-Day Mini-Course designed to kickstart real, lasting health. This isn’t another “perfect plan.”It’s your real-life solution for getting healthy...

Food as Sleep Medicine

Gut vs. Sleep

Gut vs. Sleep

https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-6nyqv-18f5635

Ready to Kickstart to lost belly fat and live healthier?

7-Day Mini-Course designed to kickstart real, lasting health. This isn’t another “perfect plan.”
It’s your real-life solution for getting healthy without overhauling your life overnight.

Hosted by:

Vickie Petz Kasper, M.D.

American Board of Lifestyle Medicine Diplomate

Learn more about Dr. Vickie

Three simple strategies to sleep better tonight

Trying harder to sleep makes sleeping harder. Instead try these 3 simple steps. 

Sleep and gut health are in a constant tug-of-war, with each affecting the other.
In this episode, we unpack how poor sleep can inflame your gut (hello, GERD and IBS flare-ups), disrupt hormones like leptin and ghrelin, and fuel cravings.
At the same time, an unhealthy gut can disturb your circadian rhythm, trigger insomnia, and even contribute to sleep apnea.
We spotlight key gut bacteria tied to better ZZZ’s (like Lachnospiraceae and Odoribacter), and caution about sleep-disrupting microbes like Selenomonadales. The good news? You don’t have to pick sides—you can create harmony by supporting both sleep and gut health!
Top 3 diet tweaks for better sleep–and gut health:
1. Add tryptophan-rich foods (almonds, lentils, oats) to nourish gut bacteria that support
serotonin/melatonin production.
2. Boost fiber intake through a variety of colorful fruits, veggies, and grains—perfect for
gut—and are sleep-friendly.
3. Cut refined carbs and sugar, opting for gut-and-sleep-approved swaps like “nice
cream” from frozen bananas, cherries, almond butter & cocoa.

Bonus resources: grab my Sleep Cheat Sheet and Free Pantry Guide to put these ideas
into action—and check out the Kickstart – 7 Days to bust belly fat with healthy habits ($47) for extra support on building healthy habits that last.

👉 Kickstart Because healthy starts from the inside—and looks great on you. ❤️

RESOURCES:

Sign up for podcasts and newsletter (recipes and more) by email

 

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How to treat the common cold

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Wondering how to get rid of a cold fast? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie breaks down evidence-based remedies that actually work to relieve symptoms. Learn which supplements may help, which ones to skip, and how lifestyle habits like sleep, nutrition, and handwashing protect your immune system. Stay healthy this season with simple, science-backed strategies.

Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That Works

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Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That WorksEnroll in Kickstart to Lose Belly Fat and Live Healthy ($47)7-Day Mini-Course designed to kickstart real, lasting health. This isn’t another “perfect plan.”It’s your real-life solution for getting healthy...

All information associated with this website is for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. Please visit the Disclaimer; Conditions, Terms of Use to learn more. 

Privacy Policy

Is Your Health Keeping You Awake? 4 medical conditions that can ruin your sleep

Is Your Health Keeping You Awake? 4 medical conditions that can ruin your sleep

Is Your Health Keeping You Awake? 4 Medical Conditions that Can Ruin Your Sleep

Follow on Social Media

Turn off your mind so you can sleep free cheat sheet

Do you have trouble sleeping because your thoughts spin? I created this cheat sheet to help you shut off your mind and turn on restorative sleep. 

Hosted by:

Vickie Petz Kasper, M.D.

American Board of Lifestyle Medicine Diplomate

Learn more about Dr. Vickie

Is Your Health Keeping You Awake? 4 Medical Conditions that Ruin Your Sleep

Are you lying in bed exhausted but wide awake? It might not be stress—or bad luck. In this episode, Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper uncovers four often-overlooked medical causes of insomnia: chronic pain, acid reflux, sleep apnea, and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. You’ll learn how each one disrupts sleep, how to spot the signs, and what you can do tonight to start sleeping better. This is a mini medical school episode packed with practical tips and smart sleep science. 

TURN OFF YOUR MIND AND SLEEP

UNLOCK THE SECRET TO SLEEP

Resources (may contain affiliate links)

MY FAVORITE SLEEP MASK

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Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That WorksEnroll in Kickstart to Lose Belly Fat and Live Healthy ($47)7-Day Mini-Course designed to kickstart real, lasting health. This isn’t another “perfect plan.”It’s your real-life solution for getting healthy...

All information associated with this website is for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. Please visit the Disclaimer; Conditions, Terms of Use to learn more. 

Privacy Policy

Is Your Health Keeping You Awake? 4 medical conditions that can ruin your sleep

Importance of Sleep and Weight

Importance of Sleep and Weight

Follow on Social Media

Turn off your mind so you can sleep free cheat sheet

Do you have trouble sleeping because your thoughts spin? I created this cheat sheet to help you shut off your mind and turn on restorative sleep. 

Hosted by:

Vickie Petz Kasper, M.D.

American Board of Lifestyle Medicine Diplomate

Learn more about Dr. Vickie

Importance of Sleep and Weight

You’ve slashed your calories, you’re sweating at the gym, and still… the belly fat won’t budge. What if the real problem isn’t your willpower—but your pillow?

In this episode, Dr. Vickie takes you to mini-medical school to uncover how poor sleep sabotages weight loss. From hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin) to melatonin, cortisol, insulin, thyroid, and even testosterone—sleep affects your metabolism in more ways than you think.

✅ How lack of sleep increases appetite and cravings
✅ Why even “thin” people with poor sleep may be metabolically unhealthy
✅ How your body composition can shift without changing your weight
✅ The hormone imbalance that fuels late-night snacking
✅ What quality sleep has to do with fat-burning and muscle maintenance

If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of weight gain, cravings, and frustration, this episode is your wake-up call (pun fully intended).

RESOURCES:

Turn off your mind and sleep

The Risky Business of Poor Sleep

Sleeping Pills and Potions

The Mood Mechanic – sleep

Sobriety and Sleep with Casey Davidson

Type 2 Diabetes

Why is Sleeping So Hard

The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change

 

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How to treat the common cold

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Wondering how to get rid of a cold fast? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie breaks down evidence-based remedies that actually work to relieve symptoms. Learn which supplements may help, which ones to skip, and how lifestyle habits like sleep, nutrition, and handwashing protect your immune system. Stay healthy this season with simple, science-backed strategies.

Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That Works

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Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That WorksEnroll in Kickstart to Lose Belly Fat and Live Healthy ($47)7-Day Mini-Course designed to kickstart real, lasting health. This isn’t another “perfect plan.”It’s your real-life solution for getting healthy...

All information associated with this website is for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. Please visit the Disclaimer; Conditions, Terms of Use to learn more. 

Privacy Policy

Sobriety and Sleep

Sobriety and Sleep

Sobriety and Sleep with Casey Davidson

Follow on Social Media

Turn off your mind so you can sleep free cheat sheet

Do you have trouble sleeping because your thoughts spin? I created this cheat sheet to help you shut off your mind and turn on restorative sleep. 

Hosted by:

Vickie Petz Kasper, M.D.

American Board of Lifestyle Medicine Diplomate

Learn more about Dr. Vickie

Sobriety and Sleep with Casey Davidson

Many women believe a nightly glass of wine helps them unwind and fall asleep, but the truth may surprise you. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper is joined by sobriety coach Casey Davidson of Hello Someday Coaching to discuss how alcohol—yes, even just one drink—disrupts your sleep, mood, energy, and long-term health. From “Mommy Wine Culture” to the rise of the sober curious movement, they unpack the science, the marketing myths, and the emotional roots behind midlife women’s drinking habits. You’ll walk away with practical tips, surprising stats, and new ways to wind down—without the wine.

 

RESOURCES:

Hello Someday Coaching with Casey Davidson

Hello Someday Podcast

The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change

 

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How to treat the common cold

How to treat the common cold

Wondering how to get rid of a cold fast? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie breaks down evidence-based remedies that actually work to relieve symptoms. Learn which supplements may help, which ones to skip, and how lifestyle habits like sleep, nutrition, and handwashing protect your immune system. Stay healthy this season with simple, science-backed strategies.

Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That Works

Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That Works

Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That WorksEnroll in Kickstart to Lose Belly Fat and Live Healthy ($47)7-Day Mini-Course designed to kickstart real, lasting health. This isn’t another “perfect plan.”It’s your real-life solution for getting healthy...

All information associated with this website is for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. Please visit the Disclaimer; Conditions, Terms of Use to learn more. 

Privacy Policy

Food as Sleep Medicine

Why is sleeping so hard?

Why is sleeping so hard?

Follow on Social Media

Hosted by:

Vickie Petz Kasper, M.D.

American Board of Lifestyle Medicine Diplomate

Learn more about Dr. Vickie

About This Episode

Understanding Sleep: The Science and Tips for Better Rest

Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper takes you to mini-medical school so you can learn about the science of sleep and its importance for our health, from weight management to disease prevention. But sleep isn’t always easy. Explore causes and complications of insomnia, and how both physical and mental health are impaired by insufficient sleep. Daily choices have a huge impact on sleep quality, such as light exposure, and timing of exercise and meals. Discover a few changes you can make for better sleep, such as keeping a regular routine, managing stress, maintaining darkness and quiet in the sleeping area, and minimizing evening fluid intake. 

Related Episodes

How to treat the common cold

How to treat the common cold

Wondering how to get rid of a cold fast? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie breaks down evidence-based remedies that actually work to relieve symptoms. Learn which supplements may help, which ones to skip, and how lifestyle habits like sleep, nutrition, and handwashing protect your immune system. Stay healthy this season with simple, science-backed strategies.

Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That Works

Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That Works

Cognitive Shuffling: The Simple Sleep Technique That WorksEnroll in Kickstart to Lose Belly Fat and Live Healthy ($47)7-Day Mini-Course designed to kickstart real, lasting health. This isn’t another “perfect plan.”It’s your real-life solution for getting healthy...