12/09/2020
Nine foods to avoid at night if you want to get a good night's sleep
GetsurreySep 12, 2020Read original
Have you been struggling to get a decent night's sleep?(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Finding it hard to sleep? Your late night trips to the fridge could be to blame.
A midnight snack can be tempting if you're feeling peckish before bedtime - but it could lead to a restless night's sleep.
Some of your favourite foods might be full of nutrients, but eating them late at night means your body will have to work harder to digest them rather than slowing down, ready to sleep.
A bad night's sleep can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes - and make it difficult to concentrate.
Our grandmothers and mothers all warned us about eating cheese before bed, but did you know things like peppermint, white bread and celery might also affect your sleep?
A spokesman for Testogen said: “Everyone knows how important a good night’s sleep is to help body recovery and aid mental health.“It’s easy to forget, but what you eat does affect your sleep.
"As tempting as a sneaky midnight snack could be, you’ll probably regret it later.“
Here are nine foods that could be keeping you awake in the small hours:
1. Pasta
Pasta is a carbohydrate, a source of slow-release energy. Great for the daylight hours, but not so good if all this energy is released exactly when you should be sleeping.
2. Peppermint
This can trigger heartburn, leading to a very uncomfortable night’s sleep. It may be prudent to turn down the offer of after-dinner snacks.
3. Dried fruit
The fibre found in dried fruit will put pressure on your digestive system, with sugar – regardless of it being natural – being a big no-no before bed.
4. Chocolate
The caffeine in chocolate means it could give you a restless night's sleep(Image: Getty)
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Chocolate is a huge caffeine source which will leave you tossing and turning all night. It's similar to drinking a big cup of coffee before you try to sleep!
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