Research shows that diet and sleep are closely connected. A study from Columbia University found that eating too many unhealthy fats and simple carbs can make it harder to get deep, restful sleep. On the other hand, not getting enough sleep has been linked to weight gain. This creates a cycle—poor eating habits lead to bad sleep, which then makes people crave more unhealthy foods.

Nutrition expert Marie-Pierre St-Onge explains that a bad diet can disrupt sleep, making it harder to make good food choices the next day. To find out if certain foods improve sleep, she teamed up with Kat Craddock, editor-in-chief of Saveur, to create Eat Better, Sleep Better. The cookbook highlights foods that support sleep, like fiber-rich grains, nuts, seeds, and colorful fruits and vegetables. These foods contain melatonin, which regulates sleep, and tryptophan, which helps produce serotonin and melatonin with the help of magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins. St-Onge emphasizes that eating well regularly is more effective than just eating sleep-friendly foods before bed. The book includes a 28-day meal plan with recipes like a healthier Creole gumbo using lean chicken and extra vegetables, as well as global dishes that encourage diverse, healthy eating.