Introduction
In the chilly winter months, it’s normal to have midnight cravings for food more often than not. And that can affect your ability to have sound sleep.
It’s important to know which foods harm your health. Some meals eaten before bedtime can hinder your ability to get quality sleep at night.
Your body is impacted by your hectic schedule which ultimately determines how well you sleep and your sleep is impacted by what you eat.
Several studies have shown that having a restless night can make you yearn for more junk food and unhealthy snacks the following day. Be careful while choosing your food before night because it could interfere with your sleep.
Here are some foods you should never eat before going to bed:
Tomatoes and citrus fruits
Eating tomatoes at night may interfere with your ability to sleep. Tyramine, an amino acid, is mostly to blame for this since it keeps your brain active and prevents you from falling asleep.
Citrus fruits have never been declared to be unhealthy, but due to their high vitamin C content, they are not a suitable choice for a bedtime snack because they may produce acidity and heartburn if not adequately digested.
It will not only interfere with your sleep cycle but also ruin the next day by giving you a burning sensation all day.
Ice cream
We frequently enjoy eating ice cream as a favourite dessert before going to bed. Ice cream can be tempting, but the sugar and fat it contains may hinder your sleep. Even ice cream with low fat can have a high sugar content that can take some time to digest.
Similar to fatty cheese, ice cream can take some time to digest, and while your body is still breaking down food, it might be difficult to get a good night’s sleep.
Eating sugary foods like candy bars, ice cream, and cakes right before sleep time is a massive no-no.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol disrupts your sleep patterns even if you may feel sleepy after downing a glass of wine or beer. Your sleep may not be as restful if you drink alcohol straight before bed. Alcohol consumption before bed can increase the likelihood that you will wake up during the night, according to research. Due to its powerful muscle relaxant properties, alcohol can also cause snoring.
Alcohol drinkers also have the tendency to wake up every two to three hours after going to bed to use the restroom because alcohol is a diuretic and it causes your body to expel lots of water as it tries to break down and get rid of the waste that alcohol produces.
Dark chocolates
Dark chocolate contains caffeine and amino acids that cause insomnia, which makes the following day lethargic. Dark chocolate is made of cocoa that contains a significant amount of caffeine – this is a stimulant compound that increases the ability of the brain to function, keeping you awake and difficult to fall asleep.
Chicken and red meat
Chicken and red meat include a lot of proteins, which need a lot of energy to break down and may lead your sleep cycle to go out of sync.
Tyrosine, an amino acid that promotes brain activity, is present in this protein. Combining them with spices will boost your metabolism and act as a wake-up call for your body, making it harder for you to fall asleep.
Final thoughts
You now know how a basic meal affects our ability to sleep. So be careful while consuming anything just before bed. The ideal meal hour is another minor factor that might help in peaceful sleep. It’s best to eat your meals for at least three hours before going to bed.
It’s important to eat a nutritious diet and maintain frequent track of your workout routine in order to allow your body to stay active and refreshed when you wake up the next day. Eating less food at night also helps soothe your mind and keep your body energetic.
Furthermore, you should also undergo preventive health checkups. These health checkups give a complete report about your health, allowing you to take necessary precautionary measures to improve your well-being and keep a host of ailments at bay.
