Are you a late night snacker? While the late night snacks are tempting, they can also hamper your sleeping patterns because heavy foods are really hard to digest at night and can disturb our sleeping patterns. It is advised to control late night cravings unless you truly hungry. But if you can't control your cravings at night then it is better to avoid some foods as they can take a toll on your health and make you sick.
Foods to Avoid
Ice-Cream
It might seem the best option after a bad day or to mend a broken heart. Ice-cream is made of dairy products and it can be bad for your stomach. It is heavy and fatty which can keep you up and bother you all night. The better option to eat at night is low-fat yogurt as it is light on the stomach, which means fewer chances of getting a stomach ache at night.
Pizza
The acids present in tomato sauce can lead to an upset stomach and leave you with a tummy ache at night. The acidic components cause indigestion and you might have to run to the washroom frequently at night.
Also read: 7 Signs that You are Eating too Much Sugar
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is filled with antioxidants and magnesium, which is good during the day but at night eating it might not be the best idea. Dark chocolate has a high level of caffeine in it can be bad for your sleep. It also contains theobromine - a combination of the two can prove detrimental to your sleep. Even though it is a better option than its counterparts, it is best to avoid it at night to have a good night's sleep.
Spicy Foods
As the name suggests, 'spicy' is definitely not your daily dose of minimal food. Spicy food can give rise to problems such as acid reflux and diarrhoea. Moreover, capsaicin present in chilli pepper can cause a drastic change in your body temperature, which can impact your sleeping patterns.
All spices are not bad, some of them contain aplenty health benefits such as turmeric. Turmeric is full of antioxidants, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, all of which is beneficial for your health.
Orange Juice
Orange juice is extremely acidic, which makes it a bad idea to drink it before bedtime. It is also high in sugar which also does not let you sleep easily. Skipping this next time before going to bed or taking it with dinner seems like a better idea.
Also read: Intermittent Fasting: The ultimate beginner's guide
Dried Fruits
You might think of dried fruits as a rational choice but it is only so when eaten during the day. The presence of dietary fibre, fructose and natural sugar in dried fruits cannot be ignored. It can affect your night sleep and can upset your digestive system, which can also affect your blood glucose levels.
Getting good sleep is important for optimal health. Good sleep may alleviate the risk of developing certain chronic illnesses, keep your digestion healthy and boost your immune system. To induce sleep, make sure you are eating the right foods and doing enough physical activity to keep diseases at bay.
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