Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for a healthy life, but it can be hard to do if you don’t eat right. Eating certain foods like caffeine, sugar, processed foods, and fatty foods can make it hard to settle down for the night. Here are the top five foods to avoid for a good night’s sleep.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a well-known stimulant that can keep your mind active and your body energized far beyond its bedtime. Instead of coffee, tea, and energy drinks in the evening, choose caffeine-free alternatives such as decaffeinated coffee, herbal teas, and seltzer water.
Sugar
Sugary foods like candy, cookies, and cakes can cause an energy spike that makes it hard to settle into sleep. Instead, choose whole grains, fruits, and vegetables for dinner as they provide the complex carbohydrates your body needs to relax.
Avoid foods high in added sugars like ice cream, energy bars, and packaged snacks. Try a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts for a light snack before bedtime.
Processed Foods
Processed foods like burgers, frozen dinners, and chips are often high in saturated fats, sodium, and artificial ingredients. Those can be pushing your body to stay up longer when it should be winding down.
For a restful sleep, swap out processed foods for lean proteins like fish, poultry, and eggs. Healthy carbohydrates like oats, quinoa, and legumes are also good choices.
Alcohol
Alcohol is often used as a sleep aid, but it can actually disrupt your sleep. Alcohol can decrease the amount of REM sleep you get and increase the chances of waking up during the night.
If you are having trouble sleeping, try other strategies such as turning off screens at least an hour before bed, avoiding caffeine after lunch, getting enough physical activity during the day, or taking a warm bath.
Fatty Foods
Eating fatty foods before bed can lead to an increase in stomach acid production and cause digestion issues throughout the night. steer clear of foods like pizza, burgers, and fries, and choose light, low-fat snacks like yogurt and fruit instead.
Conclusion
Eating the right foods can have a big impact on how well you sleep. Avoiding caffeine, sugar, processed foods, alcohol, and fatty foods can help you get the restful night’s sleep your body needs to be at its best.