If you have a habit of having bedtime snacks or beverages, don’t grab anything that is tasty and sounds good. In fact, the night meal should always be the lightest one because of several reasons. While some foods like an apple or crackers can actually help your body and give you a sound sleep, some can disturb your sleep causing nightmares, insomnia, irritated tummy etc.
Few food are discussed below that you should avoid during bedtime:
Caffeine:
Caffeine works as a stimulant for brain and helps people to stay awake. So, avoid drinking tea or coffee after dinner unless you need to stay awake for some reasons.
Alcohol:
People often think that a few glasses of alcohol can actually help in a good sleep. The reality is, it can make you drowsy but never helps you in falling asleep. So, you should never expect a good sleep after consuming alcohol.
Sugary cereal:
Sometimes we consume a bowl of sugary cereal at bedtime. But sugary cereals rapidly digested in your system and can affect some of the hormones that stimulate sleep. So, it is better to avoid sugary cereals, instead, you can have some low sugar, high fiber bran flakes or Cheerios.
Pizza:
Almost every one of us like pizza. But if you are thinking of ordering pizza at late night, think twice. That cheesy tasty topping might be a reason for your nightmares. According to a recent study, the tomato sauce in pizza can lead to tummy aches. In addition, pizza is a high-calorie food, which is too heavy to eat as a bedtime snack.
Chocolate:
Who does not like chocolate? Chocolate is perhaps the most favorite food across the globe. But, if you have a habit of eating chocolate or chocolate cookies at bed time, change it as quickly as possible. It not only includes loads of sugar, but also it is the source of hidden caffeine. So, eating chocolate can disrupt your sleep since it stimulates your body as well as your brain to stay awake.
Cold drinks, especially cola:
Most people have a habit of eating cola just after dinner. Cola contains caffeine and sugar that prevent you from sleeping. In fact, if you try to sleep, you may have to wake up to pee since cola contains no nutritional value and it is simply flushed out by the body.
Spicy food:
India without spicy food is not India. It is the country that is known for its rich culture and spicy food. But, having spicy food during dinner or bedtime can affect your digestive system and you can suffer from acidity. This may disrupt your sleep and you may feel stomach aches sometimes. So, choose simple and less spicy food before bedtime. You should at least try to have your dinner 3 hours before bed.
Eat everything, just maintain a proper diet. Healthy eating can help you live longer. So, say good bye to foods discussed above, sleep better and stay fit.