Preventing the consumption of the worst foods for sleep can promote better quality rest and reduce the likelihood of disruptions throughout the night. Since certain foods and beverages can disturb sleep patterns, it is best to avoid them choose lighter, sleep-friendly options before bedtime.
10 Foods to Avoid for a Good Night’s Rest
1. Chocolate
While chocolate contains only a small amount of caffeine, it’s still good to avoid for good sleep. Dark chocolate in particular can provide a larger jolt of energy than milk chocolate. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, which can make you feel restless.
Additionally, coffee has a lot of added sugar which can lead to less deep sleep. An entire chocolate bar could have as much caffeine as soda. You may wake up more often throughout the night.
2. French Fries
Eating French fries can cause indigestion which can make it harder to fall asleep. They are high in fat making them difficult on your digestive system and it can possibly lead to disruption of your circadian rhythm.
French fries can contribute to acid reflux which can result in decreased sleep quality. It’s recommended to stay away from sizable portions too close to bed.
3. Citrus Fruits
Because of the acidity in citrus fruits that increases your stomach acidity, avoiding them before bed is recommended. The acidity found in citrus fruits like grapefruits, oranges, limes, and lemons can cause acid reflux, leaving you feeling uncomfortable.
4. Pasta
Since pasta is high in carbohydrates, eating it before bed can make it harder to get a good night’s rest. Carbohydrates activate the fat storage systems in your body, which can cause restlessness.
5. Alchohol
While alcohol can make it easier to fall asleep, drinking alcohol before bed makes it harder to achieve a good night’s rest. You might wake up throughout the night or notice that your sleep quality suffers. Some also experience strange dreams.
Alcohol makes it more difficult to reach REM sleep, which is important for regulating mood and improving memory retention. Additionally, it’s been associated with other sleep issues, including breathing problems, nightmares, or insomnia.
6. Spicy Foods
Eating spicy foods can cause heartburn and acid reflux, which can make it more difficult to receive a good night’s rest. Spicy foods are a well-known trigger to heartburn, and this physical discomfort you feel can interfere with falling asleep.
Spicy food also contains a compound called capsaicin, which is thought to raise your body temperature. This can interfere with comfortable sleep since your internal body temperature needs to drop to fall asleep.
7. Sweets
Many sweets, treats, and desserts are high in sugar and saturated fats which can negatively impact sleep. Eating desserts like cookies and cakes close to bedtime can interrupt healthy sleep patterns.
Eating foods with high sugar levels is linked to more restlessness, therefore ranking high among the worst foods for a good night’s rest. High amounts of added sugar have been associated with poor sleep quality and sleep disturbances like insomnia. High saturated fat content can contribute to acid reflux.
8. Cheeseburgers
Eating a cheeseburger or hamburger before bed, especially if it comes with bacon, can make it challenging to get a good night’s rest. Since burgers are high in fat, you might experience digestive issues. They trigger the production of acid, which can lead to acid reflux. Before sleeping, it’s best to avoid foods that can trigger heartburn.
9. Coffee
Since coffee contains caffeine it’s recommended to avoid it before bed. Consuming coffee just six hours before bedtime can negatively impact your sleep. Avoid consuming caffeine as early as 4 p.m. since it can stay in your system for hours. This includes any coffee-flavored tea.
10. Pizza
Because of the cheese and tomato sauce found on pizza, it’s best to avoid eating pizza before bed. Cheese is rich in fat, which can cause digestive issues, and the tomato sauce may lead to heartburn for some. Depending on the kind of pizza, it’s also a lot of calories to consume before bed.