These Are the Worst Foods to Have Before Going to Bed
- Dietitian.Lauren Hmede
- Aug 27, 2019
- 3 min read
Unless you want to toss and turn for hours, ditch these 10 foods:
It is not a great idea to have food just right before sleep time as this can make you full and feel non-comfortable. Sometimes you find yourself eating dinner late night and before bedtime.
Sometimes, certain types of food help boost melatonin levels to help you sleep while others keep you awake,
Let us learn today about the worst 10 types of food that must be avoided before going to bed.
Tomatoes
People with acid reflux problem who consume (or women who temporarily have them while pregnant), tomatoes and other acidic foods can cause pain and discomfort in the esophagus when you lay down.
Cheeseburgers
The excessive amounts of saturated fat can slow gastric emptying, leaving food in your stomach, and blood flow directed there while you're trying to fall asleep.This causes the body's hormones to shift to digestion and absorption, rather than sleep.
Donuts
This food is both fried and high in sugar which can cause digestive discomfort and blood sugar reactions for some people. Remember that thing called a sugar rush.
Chocolate
Caffeine can be stimulating, so if you're sensitive, you'll want to steer clear.Many people opt for dark chocolate because it's lower in sugar and higher in antioxidants, but it's higher in caffeine as well, so those sensitive to it may have trouble falling asleep if this is when they opt to eat it.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is high in fiber and sugar, both of which can lead to an overactive digestive system too close to bed. Fiber has so many benefits but when you're chowing down on dried fruit late night, you may end having a little too much fiber too soon, which can lead to gas and bloating will certainly keep you (or your partner) up at night. Instead, stick with a small serving of fresh fruit, like a small apple, or a cup of berries.
Spicy Foods
Go mild when close to bedtime as spicy foods, like hot chili peppers and certain sauces and condiments, can be very acidic and lead to digestive discomfort. Plus, if you have acid reflux, it'll act as a trigger, making it hard to sleep. Spicy foods can also interfer with IBS, so if you have a sensitive stomach, it's better to cut back on spice in the day and avoid it at night.
Pizza
This is a doozy: acidic tomato sauce and high-fat cheese and refined bread, means your tummy will be rumbling when yo go to lay down. Don't get us wrong, pizza is absolutely delicious and if you do end up eating a slice or two close to bed, go with a healthier thin-style crust (like a cauliflower or whole-wheat crust), opt for light vs. heavy cheese if possible, and ditch the marinara sauce for something light, like an olive-oil based sauce.
Steak
If sticking with a comfortable serving size, steak and vegetables actually makes a healthy meal before bed. However, if you're eating a massive 22-ounce steak dinner at a restaurant, beware. All that meat will sit in your stomach and make it hard to fall asleep from the overwhelming feeling of fullness. It all comes down to portion control regarding high protein and high fat meals. If you're craving a filling meat-based snack, try one serving of jerky or this fun alternative for plant-based Beet Jerky.
High Sugar Cereals
Having some complex oats (like a quick bowl of fruit topped oatmeal) before bed can be helpful for sleep, but any grains, cereals, muffins, or granola that have too much sugar will be stimulating, making it harder to fall asleep. Avoid those sugary cereals and instead look for ones with a low sugar count and some fiber. That way, you'll settle your belly without all the extra added sugar and refined grains.
Chips
Researchers found that greasy foods, like chips, led to nightmares, so not only will you struggle to fall asleep quickly but also you might wake up in the middle of the night clenching onto the blanket in fear. Less than ideal. Instead, go for homemade popcron to get the crunchy salty fix you're looking for.
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