If you’re constantly hitting the snooze button because you’re desperate for a little extra kip, experts have suggested you might want to take a look at your diet.
Cheryl Lythgoe, British nutrition expert from Health Benenden revealed the worst foods to eat in the evening if you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep.
But it’s not always easy to disobey that nighttime feeling of hunger, especially after a long day at work. To do this, experts suggest avoiding “stimulants” like sugar in foods like chocolate or ice cream right before going to bed.
Cheryl told the Huffington Post: “Going to bed on an empty stomach lowers blood sugar levels and interferes with the body’s ability to sleep well.
“But avoid stimulants like sugar or caffeine, as they will keep you up at night.”
British nutrition experts Benenden Health have revealed the worst foods to eat at night if you struggle to get a good night’s sleep (Stock image)
Here, FEMAIL reveals the five foods that could make it very difficult for you to fall asleep at night, according to the expert.
1. Chips
It’s no fun sitting down to watch your favorite TV series at bedtime without a snack or two on hand.
And while chips are often the snack of choice, experts warn they could give rise to nightmares.
Chips are loaded with salt, which could in turn make you even hungrier and lead to overeating.
It’s hard to fall asleep when you’re searching the kitchen for another tasty bag of chips.
Overconsumption of salt also causes dehydration in the body, thereby increasing water retention and making sleeping very uncomfortable.
2. Curry
There’s nothing like a delicious homemade or takeaway curry in the evening to calm that roaring stomach.
However, you may want to save your vindaloo for a lunchtime treat, as it can cause you a whole host of problems at night.
Curries are wonderfully flavorful and primarily use a range of spices and chillies to achieve this.
However, spicy foods contain high levels of capsaicin – an active chemical found in chili peppers that makes the mouth hot to the touch.
Although they are a treat for the lips, spicy foods are especially bothersome at night as they raise the body temperature, making it very difficult to maintain a long night’s sleep.
3. Chocolate
It’s easy to skip this one, because let’s face it: who doesn’t want to scoff on a delicious chocolate bar before bed?
However, a lot of chocolate contains caffeine, a stimulant found in drinks like coffee and tea that are known to keep you wide awake.
According to Livestrong: “Chocolate contains a trio of substances – caffeine, theobromine and sugar – that create a perfect storm for sabotaging sleep.
“Chocolate is a solid source of caffeine, and like your morning run, it can give you a boost of energy that you don’t need in the evening when you’re trying to wind down.”
4. Cheese
This comforting snack is considered one of the worst to eat before bed because it contains high amounts of the amino acid tyramine, which makes you alert.
Consuming strong cheeses like cheddar and parmesan right before bed can increase your heart rate, making it a real challenge for a decent nap.
Experts also explain that tyramine causes the adrenal glands to release the “fight or flight” hormone, which increases alertness for several hours.
Acid can also be found in sandwich meats like bacon, ham, and pepperoni, so it’s best to avoid them at night.
5. Ice cream
Whether it’s rain or shine, ice cream is a sweet treat enjoyed by everyone at almost any time of the day.
However, it’s best to limit this delicious snack to daylight hours if you’re suffering from a bad kick.
Cheryl said: “Sugary foods, such as ice cream and sweets, first cause blood sugar levels to rise, which then plummet while you sleep.
“A drop in blood sugar alerts the adrenals of an emergency, which, in turn, increases cortisol levels and wakes the body from sleep.”
