Sugar, Spice, Everything Nice: Foods to Avoid Before Bed
For a long time, we were told not to eat anything before we went to bed if we wanted to sleep well and stay healthy.
Many experts have changed their minds about that now, but there are still some things they suggest we avoid before we go to sleep.
America's Sleep Foundation suggests avoiding spicy foods, foods that are high in fat, foods that are acidic, as well as things that contain caffeine and alcohol.
Many of us drink tea and coffee to help us to begin the day and perhaps to wake us up a little bit, so it's no surprise we're told to avoid them before bed.
But experts say we shouldn't forget that many chocolates contain caffeine too, and even though it's not a very large amount, it may have an impact on our sleep.
That's not the only reason to avoid chocolate. Things that contain a lot of sugar can be a bad idea before bed because they may cause spikes in our blood sugar levels, and this can disrupt our sleep.
Late night temptations like burgers, chips and other fast food should also be avoided, according to experts.
Fatty foods, as well as full-fat dairy products, are more difficult for our bodies to digest, so while we should be resting, our bodies are actually still working hard to digest these high-fat foods, something that could keep us awake.
Meanwhile, spicy foods are more likely to cause things like acid reflux and heartburn. These are bad enough during the day, but they're a nightmare when we're trying to sleep.
Acidic foods and drinks like orange juice and tomatoes may also cause acid reflux at night.
Of course, for people with diabetes or similar conditions, the advice is a bit different — and it's always best to talk to your doctor to find out more.
