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Unfortunately, pizza-in-bed dinners are not recommended for a good night’s sleep.
DODO – Unfortunately, many of us don’t get enough sleep. Between stress, tough work schedules, late-night scrolling sessions, and downright insomnia, there are many reasons why sleep isn’t as satisfying as it should be.
But the British health insurance company Benenden Health recently reminded people that certain foods could also be the cause of sleepless nights. “If you’ve tried all the sleep aids and are fed up with not sleeping through the night, it may be because you’re not eating the right foods before bed,” she tells HuffPost UK. Cheryl Lythgoe, nurse.
As some recommendations from British authorities show, the later you eat, the harder your digestive system has to work while you sleep. This process can disrupt your sleep and prevent you from staying asleep.
Below, Cheryl Lythgoe takes you through some of the top sleep-inducing foods and explains why they cause so many problems.
1. Chocolate
I know, I know, it’s tempting to sip on your favorite chocolate in the evening. But experts say the combination of sugar and caffeine (yes, there’s caffeine in chocolate, especially dark chocolate) can keep you awake longer than you’d like.
2. Cheese
No, not because it makes you have bad dreams. However, experts advise against eating this delicious dairy product before bed because it contains a substance called tyramine, which helps us stay alert.
3. Spicy food
The problem comes from a chemical called capsaicin, which gives chili peppers their spicy taste. Spices can disrupt your sleep by disrupting your body’s temperature regulation.
4. Ice cream
Just like cakes, cookies, gummy bears… Sugar is actually the problem here. Too much sweets can lead to restlessness at night and even repeated waking up.
5. Chips
I’m sorry to inform you that your favorite chips most likely contain what experts would call “way too much salt.” Salt can affect your sleep by dehydrating you. A study showed that eating salty foods like chips and peanuts before bed contributed to sleep problems – or made it “flat”.
Additionally, excess salt before bed can make you feel sleepier when you wake up.
Okay, what should I eat?
If you feel hungry at night, Cheryl Lythgoe recommends trying more natural foods.
“You may love late-night snacks like chocolate, ice cream or chips, but they could be stopping you from getting those much-needed eight hours of sleep,” says the practitioner.
“On the other hand, if you have a bit of a sweet tooth, natural foods like cherries or bananas are great for a good night’s sleep and should satisfy your cravings,” she continues.
She adds that in general, you should avoid eating too late at night, watch portion sizes, and avoid caffeine and refined sugar before bed. It seems that many people need to change their lives…
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This article is a translation by HuffPost France editorial staff of an article published in Huffington Post UK on September 19, 2023. Original article to read here.
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