Getting a good night’s sleep is important for our health and how we feel during the day. What we eat before bed can affect how well we sleep, as some foods make it hard to fall asleep or cause us to wake up at night.
In this blog, I’ll share 15 foods that you should avoid eating close to bedtime.
Large Portions of Meat
Eating a lot of meat close to bedtime can be hard on your digestion. Your body will be busy breaking down protein instead of resting. Stick to smaller portions of meat at dinner for better sleep.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains caffeine and sugar, which can keep you awake. Dark chocolate has even more caffeine than milk chocolate. It can also cause heartburn in some people. Eating chocolate late at night might make it hard to fall asleep.
Spicy Foods
Spicy foods can cause indigestion and discomfort. They might also raise your body temperature. This can interfere with your body’s natural cool-down before sleep. Avoid spicy meals close to bedtime for better sleep.
Alcohol
While alcohol might make you feel sleepy at first, it can disrupt your sleep later. It can cause you to wake up during the night and reduce sleep quality. Avoid drinking alcohol close to bedtime for better sleep.
Ice Cream
Ice cream is high in sugar and fat. It can give you a sugar rush and then a crash. This might wake you up in the middle of the night. Choose a healthier dessert if you need a nighttime snack.
Garlic
Garlic can cause heartburn and indigestion in some people. It might also make you thirsty, leading to more bathroom trips at night. Avoid garlicky foods close to bedtime for more comfortable sleep.
Cheese
Cheese contains an amino acid that can make you feel alert. It’s also high in fat, which takes longer to digest. Eating cheese late at night might disrupt your sleep and cause vivid dreams.
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits are acidic and can cause heartburn. They might also make you need to use the bathroom during the night. Avoid oranges, grapefruits, and lemons before bed for more restful sleep.
Fatty Foods
Fatty foods take longer to digest and can cause discomfort. They might keep your body working hard when it should be resting. Avoid greasy or fried foods before bed to sleep better.
Caffeinated Drinks
Coffee, tea, and energy drinks contain caffeine that can keep you awake. Even if you fall asleep, caffeine can make your sleep lighter. Avoid these drinks for several hours before bed.
Celery
Celery is a natural diuretic, which means it makes you pee more. Eating celery before bed might cause you to wake up to use the bathroom. Save your celery snacks for earlier in the day.
Pasta
Pasta is high in carbohydrates, which can cause a spike in blood sugar. This might give you energy when you’re trying to sleep. Eat pasta earlier in the evening for better sleep.
Soda
Sodas often contain caffeine and a lot of sugar. They can keep you awake and cause a sugar crash later. Drinking soda before bed might also make you need the bathroom at night.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruits are high in sugar and fiber. They can give you a sugar rush and cause digestive issues. Eat dried fruits earlier in the day to avoid sleep problems
Pizza
Pizza combines many sleep-disrupting foods like cheese, fatty meats, and tomato sauce. It can cause indigestion and acid reflux. Save pizza for lunch or early dinner to sleep better at night
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