5 Foods to Avoid at Dinner for a Good Night’s Sleep
There are a few foods that can really mess with your sleep, so it’s important to avoid them if you want to have a good night’s rest. Here are six food items that should be avoided at dinner time:
- caffeine: This stimulant can keep you up all night long, leading to restless nights and trouble falling asleep.
- processed foods: These often contain additives and chemicals that can disrupt your sleep cycle.
- spicy foods: They could spike your blood pressure and contribute to insomnia.
- heavy sauces and gravies: These contain lots of saturated fat and calories, which will keep you awake late into the night…and hungry in the morning!
- red meat: This is one food item that’s particularly hard on your digestion, which can lead to disrupted sleep patterns.
- dairy products: These foods tend to give you a lot of gas, making it difficult to drift off to sleep…or stay asleep for long periods of time!
Why These Foods Cause Insomnia
There are a few foods that can actually lead to insomnia. One of the main culprits is dairy. Dairy products contain hormones that can disrupt sleep patterns. Other foods that can cause trouble include caffeine, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners. By avoiding these food groups at dinner time, you’ll likely enjoy better sleep at night.
The Science Behind It
There are certain foods that can help you get a good night’s sleep, but be aware that some of them may not be the best for your diet. The following are seven foods to avoid during dinner time in order to ensure a restful night’s sleep:
- Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can interfere with your sleep cycle and make it difficult to fall asleep. Additionally, alcohol is known to cause drowsiness and poor concentration the next day. If you’re planning on drinking alcohol before bed, try to limit yourself to one drink or avoid drinking altogether if you’re looking to get a good night’s sleep.
- Caffeine
Caffeine is another stimulant that can affect your sleep cycle negatively. It can increase anxiety and agitation, making it difficult to drift off into slumber. If you need caffeine in order to stay alert during the day, try limiting yourself to moderate amounts before bedtime. Otherwise, consider skipping caffeine entirely in order to get a good night’s sleep.
- Hot Cocoa or Tea
Both hot cocoa and tea contain caffeine which can disrupt your sleep cycle. If you’re struggling with insomnia, avoid drinking these beverages late at night as they will make it even harder for you to fall asleep. Instead, enjoy them during the morning or afternoon when you’re less likely to have an adverse effect on your sleep schedule.
- Milk Products
Milk products are high in calcium which can keep
How to Avoid These Foods at Dinner
If you’re looking to get a good night’s sleep, avoid these foods at dinner time.
- Alcohol
Alcohol can interfering with the quality of your sleep. It can also cause you to have more trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. If you’ve been struggling to get a good night’s sleep, abstain from alcohol before dinner.
- Grains
Grains are composed of all sorts of complex carbs which can spike your blood sugar levels in an evening meal. This will send your body into an insulin response which will lead to feelings of hunger and cravings for other high-carb foods later in the night. Opt for healthier choices like fruits and vegetables instead of grains at dinner time to help you get a good night’s sleep.
Conclusion
There are many things we can do to help improve our sleep, but one of the most important is to avoid eating food that may make us sleepy before bed. By following these 5 foods guidelines during dinner time, you should be able to get a good night’s sleep and wake up refreshed and ready for the day ahead.
