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 No-Plan Pantry Guide to put these ideas into action—and check out the Kickstart to Healthy Habits mini‑course for extra support on building healthy habits that last.

Eat Better; Sleep Better by Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge

Related episodes:

Meet the Microbes 101

Prebiotics and Probiotics

The secret to staying on a diet

Ever felt like you’re stuck in a cycle of starting over—again and again? You’re not alone. In this honest and hope-filled episode, Dr. Vickie shares her own health wake-up calls and reveals 7 surprising reasons we struggle to stick with healthy habits (even when we know exactly what to do).

From all-or-nothing thinking to decision fatigue, she breaks down the science behind behavior change and offers real-world strategies to finally make progress that lasts.

You’ll learn:

• Why your brain resists healthy change

• How identity shapes your daily choices

• The role of systems, cues, and support in habit success

• Why willpower alone isn’t enough

• And how to stop waiting for a diagnosis to take action

If you’re tired of starting over every Monday, this episode is your roadmap to lasting transformation—with grace, humor, and real-life tools that work.

✨ Ready to break the cycle? 🎧 Listen now—and check out the 7-Day Kickstart to Lose Belly Fat & Build Healthy Habits to take your first step today.

Because healthy looks great on you.

Episode 178: More Than a Gut Feeling — The Gut-Brain Axis Explained

In this episode of Healthy Looks Great On You, Dr. Vickie takes you on a mini-medical school field trip through the fascinating world of the gut-brain axis. Starting with the wild true story of Alexis St. Martin — the fur trapper who literally had a window into his stomach — you'll learn how early experiments paved the way to our current understanding of how your gut and brain constantly chat behind your back.

We cover everything from why you lose your appetite during stressful times, to how your gut might actually cause your brain fog, mood swings, or even anxiety. You'll meet key players like the vagus nerve and the enteric nervous system (aka your "second brain"), and discover simple, natural ways to heal your gut-brain axis — starting with your diet, your stress, and your habits.

And as always, Dr. Vickie serves up easy-to-understand science with a healthy dose of humor (and fiber). Because when your gut is happy, your brain is happy. And when both are happy — healthy looks great on you.

👉 Don’t forget to download my Pantry Guide and check out my Kickstart to Healthy Habits 7-day mini-course to start healing your gut-brain axis naturally.