#FitnessFriday: Five foods you should avoid eating at night
Finding that you're having sleepless nights? Ever thought to investigate what you ate before hitting the sack? Here are five foods to avoid before you go to sleep.
Certain foods can disrupt your sleeping patterns and add unnecessary calories to your day. Below is the list:
1. Greasy and fatty food: Fatty foods tend to be high in calories but they also make you feel sluggish the next day. But they also make your stomach work overtime to digest all that food. So at night time stay away from foods like nuts, ice-cream, fast food, and super cheesey foods.
2. High-Carb – sugary foods: A sweet treat at night to ease the day’s pains may not be what the doctor ordered. Sugary foods at night, like cake and chocolates, cause a spike in your blood-sugar levels and could cause your energy levels to spike and plummet, disrupting your sleep in the process. So put down those cakes, sweets, and desserts at night and rather opt for fruit instead.
3. Red Meat and other proteins: Meat at night may be hard to digest and it could sit in your stomach and make it hard for you to fall asleep. You don’t have to avoid protein, but rather choose the leaner options and smaller portions.
4. Spicy Foods: If those late night cravings hit you, stay away from the spicy treats. Spicy, peppery foods can stimulate your senses, making it harder to fall asleep.
5. Big Portions: Snacking at night should not be an excuse to turn it into a full meal. A little nibble here and there is good but a full course meal is NOT. Keep calorie intake to less than 200 and this way you’ll have no problem falling asleep.
Lisa recommends eating small and light portions of food that will calm the cravings without causing you to feel sluggish and heavy.