Jeffrey Salazar
The Sleeping Beauty diet is a dangerous weight loss method where people take sedatives to sleep for abnormally long periods, sometimes up to 20 hours per day, in order to avoid eating. The diet was first described in Jacqueline Susann's novel, Valley of the Dolls, in 1966, and has since been popularised by pro-anorexia communities and a 2011 book by Dr Michael Breus, who has since distanced himself from the trend.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Origin | The concept of the diet first appeared in Jacqueline Susann's 1966 novel, Valley of the Dolls*.* |
| Other Names | Narcorexia, Sleeping Queen Diet, Sleepy Diet, Sleeping Diet, Sleepy Beauty Diet |
| Premise | Sleeping more means less time to eat, resulting in weight loss |
| Mechanism | Taking sedatives to sleep for abnormally long periods, sometimes up to 20 hours per day |
| Related Risks | Drowsiness, dizziness, sleepwalking, sleep-eating, impaired brain function, accidents, negative health impact, weight gain, obesity, muscle loss |
| Recommended Sleep Hours | 7-9 hours per night |
| Alternative Solutions | Cognitive-behavioral therapy, exercise, avoiding caffeine or alcohol near bedtime |
| Celebrity Endorsements | Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor |
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What You'll Learn
- The Sleeping Beauty diet involves taking sedatives to sleep for long periods of time, sometimes up to 20 hours a day
- The diet is intended to limit calorie intake by sleeping through normal waking hours
- It is considered dangerous and ineffective, with potential side effects including drowsiness, dizziness, and sleepwalking
- The diet has been associated with pro-anorexia communities and eating disorders
- Health professionals advise against it, warning of serious health risks and potential weight gain due to decreased metabolism
The Sleeping Beauty diet involves taking sedatives to sleep for long periods of time, sometimes up to 20 hours a day
The Sleeping Beauty diet is a fad diet that involves taking sedatives to sleep for long periods of time, sometimes up to 20 hours a day, in order to avoid eating and thus lose weight. The diet has been criticised by health professionals as being dangerous and ineffective, with some warning that it could even result in death. Despite this, it has been embraced by some pro-anorexia or ''pro-ana' communities and websites, with users discussing taking strong painkillers or sleeping pills to sleep for days and avoid eating.
The diet first came to prominence when it was showcase on a British reality TV show called "How To Lose Weight Well" in 2011. The show referenced a book by psychologist Michael Breus, "The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan", in which he made a link between sleep and dieting. Breus, who markets himself as "The Sleep Doctor", wrote that a full night of quality sleep supports weight loss and recommended getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night, avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bed, and not exercising within four hours of sleeping.
However, Breus has since distanced himself from the extreme version of his diet, saying that his idea has been taken to the "extreme". He clarified that his book was intended to promote good sleep hygiene and that using sedatives to sleep for abnormally long periods of time is an abuse of prescription medication.
The Sleeping Beauty diet has been tried by celebrities such as Elvis Presley and Elizabeth Taylor. It is also known as 'narcorexia', a term that has been criticised by medical professionals as being dangerous and likely to make losing weight more difficult. The diet has been described as a form of disordered eating or an eating disorder and is not recommended as a safe or effective way to lose weight.
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The diet is intended to limit calorie intake by sleeping through normal waking hours
The Sleeping Beauty diet is a fad diet that has been trending on pro-anorexia websites and forums. It involves taking sedatives or sleeping pills to sleep for extended periods, sometimes up to 20 hours a day, with the intention of limiting calorie intake by sleeping through normal waking hours. The diet is considered dangerous and ineffective by health professionals.
The idea behind the diet is that by sleeping more, one will not be awake to eat, thus reducing calorie consumption. This notion was first described in Jacqueline Susann's novel, "Valley of the Dolls," published in 1966. However, it gained traction online in pro-anorexia communities, where women encouraged each other to take sedatives like Xanax to sleep excessively and severely restrict calories during their waking hours.
A more moderate version of the Sleeping Beauty diet was popularized by sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus in his 2011 book, "The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan: Lose Weight Through Better Sleep." In his book, Dr. Breus emphasizes the importance of a full night of quality sleep for weight loss and recommends 7-9 hours of sleep, avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bedtime, and refraining from exercising close to bedtime.
Despite its popularity, the Sleeping Beauty diet is not a safe or effective way to lose weight. Health professionals warn that it can lead to serious health issues, including an increased risk of accidents due to impaired brain function, metabolic issues, and even death. Additionally, the diet does not address the underlying causes of unhealthy eating habits and can disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm, negatively impacting overall health.
Instead of resorting to fad diets like the Sleeping Beauty diet, it is crucial to seek professional help for any eating or sleeping disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, for example, is recommended as a first-line treatment for insomnia by the American College of Physicians. It is important to prioritize overall health and well-being rather than risking one's health for short-term weight loss solutions.
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It is considered dangerous and ineffective, with potential side effects including drowsiness, dizziness, and sleepwalking
The Sleeping Beauty Diet is a dangerous weight loss method that has been embraced by some pro-anorexia blogs and forums. It involves taking sedatives to sleep for abnormally long periods, sometimes up to 20 hours per day, in order to avoid eating. The diet first came to prominence in 2017, although Dr Michael Breus had made a link between sleep and dieting in his 2012 book, 'The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan: Lose Weight Through Better Sleep'.
The diet is considered highly dangerous and ineffective, with health professionals warning against its practice. One of the key issues is that it involves drug abuse, with dieters taking strong painkillers or sedatives like Xanax to induce long periods of sleep. This can lead to addiction, with the body adapting to the dosage and requiring more of the drug over time. In addition, the extreme amount of sleep can cause social isolation and impact mood, leading to depression.
The Sleeping Beauty Diet also has the potential to cause various other side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and sleepwalking. Drowsiness the next day can impact daily life and even lead to drowsy driving. Furthermore, sleeping pills can cause sleep eating, which goes against the diet's intentions and can lead to binge eating.
The diet is not a safe or effective long-term solution for weight loss. It relies on starvation and an extreme caloric deficit, which can cause muscle loss and a slowdown of metabolism, ultimately hindering weight loss results. There is no scientific evidence to prove the diet's success, and it is considered a fad diet that can cause more harm than good.
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The diet has been associated with pro-anorexia communities and eating disorders
The Sleeping Beauty Diet is a dangerous weight loss method where individuals sleep for abnormally long periods, up to 20 hours a day, to avoid eating and thus limit their calorie intake. The diet involves taking sedatives or sleeping pills to induce sleep and has been associated with pro-anorexia communities and eating disorders.
The diet has been criticised by health professionals and experts, including registered dietitian Amy Shapiro, who characterises it as a "disordered way to look at losing weight". Shapiro highlights that abusing drugs to avoid food and overexercising when awake constitute disordered eating behaviours. This sentiment is echoed by other health professionals, who warn that the diet is not only ineffective but also hazardous. The British Dietician Association cautions that adhering to this extreme diet could even result in death.
The diet has been discussed on pro-anorexia or 'pro-ana' websites and forums, where individuals with eating disorders seek advice and encourage one another. Some have shared their experiences of taking strong painkillers to curb hunger, while others have described sleeping for extended periods to avoid eating or being monitored by their families. This community also encourages exercise and severe calorie restriction during waking hours, further exacerbating disordered eating behaviours.
The Sleeping Beauty Diet is not a new concept, with references to similar methods appearing in Jacqueline Susann's novel, "Valley of the Dolls", in 1966. More recently, in 2012, sleep expert Dr Michael Breus published a book titled "The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan: Lose Weight Through Better Sleep". In his book, Dr Breus advocates for 7-9 hours of sleep and abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and exercise near bedtime. However, he has since distanced himself from the extreme interpretations of his recommendations, emphasising that his intention was to promote healthy sleep habits rather than encourage sedative use for weight loss.
The diet's association with pro-anorexia communities underscores the dangers of such trends. While the premise of sleeping more to lose weight may seem appealing, it can lead to serious health issues, including muscle loss, a slowed metabolism, and an increased risk of accidents due to impaired brain function. Furthermore, fasting or severely restricting calories can cause nutrient deficiencies, heart problems, and other health complications. Thus, it is crucial to approach dieting with caution and prioritise safe and sustainable practices over extreme fads.
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Health professionals advise against it, warning of serious health risks and potential weight gain due to decreased metabolism
The Sleeping Beauty Diet first emerged in 2017 as a dangerous weight loss method. It involves sleeping for excessively long periods—in some cases, up to 20 hours a day—with the aid of sedatives or sleeping pills, in order to avoid eating. While adequate sleep is important for maintaining or losing weight, this diet takes it to the extreme. Health professionals strongly advise against the Sleeping Beauty Diet due to its serious health risks and potential for weight gain.
The diet has been linked to pro-anorexia communities, where women encourage each other to abuse drugs to sleep excessively and avoid eating. This behaviour is a form of disordered eating and can lead to eating disorders such as binge eating disorder and bulimia. The British Dietician Association warns that following this diet to such extremes could even result in death.
The Sleeping Beauty Diet is not a safe or effective way to lose weight. While it may seem like a quick fix, it can lead to muscle loss and a slower metabolism, which will hinder weight loss in the long term. Additionally, sleeping pills come with their own side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and sleepwalking.
Furthermore, the diet does not address the underlying reasons for unhealthy eating habits. Instead of self-treating with sedatives, it is crucial to seek help from a professional to address the root causes of these issues. Cognitive-behavioural therapy, for example, is recommended as the first line of treatment for insomnia by the American College of Physicians.
While it may be tempting to try fad diets like the Sleeping Beauty Diet, they are often unhealthy and can lead to more harm than good. It is always best to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or weight loss regime to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual needs.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sleeping Beauty Diet involves taking sleeping pills with the goal of sleeping through normal waking hours to avoid eating.
The idea of sleeping to lose weight was first described in Jacqueline Susann's novel, Valley of the Dolls, in 1966. However, the term "Sleeping Beauty Diet" was popularised by psychologist Michael Breus in his 2011 book, "The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan".
While it is true that sleep deprivation is associated with higher body weight, so is sleeping too much. When you are sleeping, your body's metabolism is at its slowest, and you burn fewer calories. Therefore, the Sleeping Beauty Diet is ineffective and dangerous.
No, the Sleeping Beauty Diet is not safe. Sleeping pills come with side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and sleepwalking. Additionally, sedation induced by sleeping pills increases the risk of accidents due to impaired brain function. Health professionals warn that the diet could even result in death.
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