Food as Sleep Medicine

by | Jul 18, 2025 | diet, Lifestyle Medicine, Sleep

Fruits, veggies and stethescope

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Hosted by:

Vickie Petz Kasper, M.D.

American Board of Lifestyle Medicine Diplomate

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Three Simple Strategies to Sleep Better

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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)

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Think your liver needs a detox? Think again. In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie explains why your liver doesn’t need a cleanse—and how trendy detox products can actually do more harm than good. Learn what truly supports liver health, from smart nutrition to avoiding hidden liver stressors. Discover what your liver really needs to thrive and why lifestyle medicine is the ultimate detox.

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