Red Meat
All meats contain proteins that your body needs energy to break down, which increases acidity in your digestive system. If you want to have a meaty meal before bedtime, try eating fish instead! Lean fish like tilapia and halibut are low in fat but high in protein, making them the perfect option if you are craving meat. Another good source of lean protein is chicken breast or turkey breast without any skin. Plus these options don’t come with the extra saturated fats found in red meat!
Spicy Food
While it might be nice to have some hot salsa or curry before bedtime, these foods are spicy for a reason. Spicy foods cause your body to release hormones that will disrupt sleep by causing you to sweat more. While also decreasing the temperature of your body and making it harder for your brain to recover from all of that work. So if you want to enhance your snooze time, try eating something without any spices!
Tofu
If you find yourself craving tofu for dinner or even as a snack before bedtime, you may want to reconsider this decision. Tofu is made from soybeans which means that your body needs to expend energy and resources to break it down. This means that you will get less of the benefits from the protein found in tofu if you eat it before bedtime. Try eating grilled chicken or fish instead of tofu, and see how much better you feel when you wake up!
Cinnamon Buns
Cinnamon buns are another food that should be avoided at least two hours before bedtime. Like the other foods on this list, cinnamon contains spices that increase acidity in your digestive system and can make it harder for you to recover after a long day. If you want to have something sweet before bedtime, why not try some strawberries? They contain less sugar than any of the desserts mentioned above but still provide all of the nutrients you need to fall asleep!
Tacos
Canned Foods like beans contain BPA which can cause hormone disruptions. These hormones, like estrogen, can make it harder for you to fall asleep at night because they will keep your body more alert than other foods. So next time you are thinking of having tacos or canned soup before bedtime, choose the fresh option instead! That way your body will be able to relax and heal without any stressors disrupting its natural functions.
Conclusion
While it is good to have a little something before bedtime, make sure that you don’t eat too much or the wrong things. Eating certain foods can disrupt your sleep by increasing acidity in your digestive system, which makes it harder for you body to recover from a long day and get ready for sleep. So if you want to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, try eating a lean protein like fish or chicken with some complex carbs like whole wheat bread!
