What do I get so hungry when I'm tired?

Total random guess, but I would say it has to do with energy.

When your tired your lacking energy, food restores said energy so its natural to be hungry.

Your blood sugar tends to be low when you’ve had too little sleep. Cortisol is also high. Eating, especially high-carbo food raises your blood sugar (until you crash again) and increases serotonin production so you don’t feel so bluesy.

@IchtheosaurusRex that would explain why I can’t stop thinking about eating a piece of toast today.

@TheOnlyNeffie , with me it’s granola bars. I keep them in my desk. I haven’t had enough sleep in the last 5 or 6 years.

Your body is craving energy and trying to get it the only way possible. You need to put more focus on getting a good night’s rest.

.. I have been making absurd typos lately. I think I really DO need to sleep.

It has to do with the hormones leptin and ghrelin. Wiki them and you’ll see why. (I’d explain further but it’s hard to do via iPod :) ) Also read on sleep deprivation/lack of sleep

Could it be that you feel tired because you’re so hungry?

@Primobabe I don’t think that’s it. This only seems to happen when I didn’t get a full night’s sleep. Then I catch myself eating more than usual on those days. Or having strong cravings.

I think that our bodies are very smart and know how to compensate for internal deficiencies. When you don’t get enough sleep, you’re tired and lack the resources needed to get through your day. Your body probably craves more food to build up energy and restore parity.