7 Unhealthy Foods To Avoid Before Bed

Did you know that tomato sauce, caffeine, dairy, citrus, fatty, spicy, and salty snacks are unhealthy foods to avoid before bed? Here’s why.

Yes, we all find ourselves in front of the TV at night and need something to snack on. This sometimes can be a good idea, but it all depends on what are you choosing to eat before bed.

In general, avoiding a late-night snack can be a good thing for your weight and even for a good night’s sleep.

Altogether, avoid late-night snacks because these cravings come out of boredom, maybe anxiety, and the need for some comfort food; this is not hunger.

A full stomach with unhealthy foods is exactly the opposite thing you need before going to bed. Certain foods require hours for digestion and this, in turn, can affect your sleep.

Even foods with high water content can affect your sleep because, let’s face it, waking up in the middle of the night because you need to go to the bathroom can be annoying.

Basically, no food before bedtime is generally a good idea. You can have a snack after dinner because you can usually digest all that you ate before going to bed.

But let’s be honest, we all like sometimes to have some food to accompany us while watching a movie.

If you find yourself in the category of late-night snackers, then you should give your best to avoid eating these foods.

Avoid These Unhealthy Foods Before Going To Bed

Consider all these foods as off-limit when it comes to your late-night cravings. And try your best to stay away from them.

It will be good for you and your sleep if these foods are not in your belly when going to sleep.

Here are seven unhealthy foods you should avoid before going to bed:

1. Pizza

Well, this should not come as a surprise because, depending on what kind of pizza are you having, pizza can be filled with calories.

But the main reason pizza is a bad option before going to bed is because of the tomato sauce.

Tomatoes have acid that can affect and upset your stomach. These acidic foods can move quickly through our digestive system and this means a quick run to the bathroom.

Try instead some deli turkey or maybe grilled chicken. They are a much better alternative to your pizza.

2. Chocolate

Avoiding chocolate before bed can be in your own interest because it contains caffeine that can keep you awake at night.

Of course, you can’t compare some chocolate to a cup of your coffee, but it can easily disturb your sleep since there is even 25 mg of caffeine in certain chocolate bars.

Try instead some trail mix, a granola bar, or maybe some granola.

3. Cake

This is definitely high in fats and can cause acid reflux, which is the last thing you need before going to bed.

Filled with sugar and fats, this is not exactly what you call a healthy snack.

No cake before bed, unfortunately. This is, of course, if you want a good night’s sleep.

Try instead some cheese and crackers. Not the same vibe, but you skip a lot of sugar and unwanted fats right before going to bed.

4. Citrus Fruits

These citrus fruits can act as a natural diuretic. They can make you go to the bathroom more frequently, meaning waking up several times during the night.

Eliminate citrus fruits from your late-night snack list to sleep properly through the night.

Try instead to eat some toast with peanut butter. Eating some carbs and protein can easily put you to sleep.

5. Potato Chips

They are filled with salt, which is another thing that can disrupt your sleep. It will also dehydrate you and increase water retention.

For a good night’s sleep, do not eat potato chips within three hours before going to bed.

Instead, try some roasted chickpeas that are low in calories, won’t affect your sleep, and won’t make you feel too full.

6. Spicy Foods

Heartburn is something that you get if you eat spicy foods. And this means a restless night, of course.

But this is not the only reason why you should stay away from eating spicy foods at night.

In order to sleep, our body’s temperate should get lower, which won’t happen if you eat something spicy. That’s because spicy foods increase the body’s temperature and this can make you stay awake for longer.

Try maybe some chopped-up bell pepper with some dips. This is a much better alternative to anything spicy before bed.

7. Ice Cream

The main reason ice cream can be a no-go before bedtime is the dairy. Some people can get an upset stomach from it.

But if you don’t find yourself in this category, you should still try to skip your bedtime ice cream. They are filled with fats and sugar, not something you truly need before going to sleep.

Try some low-fat yogurt as your late-night snack, if you’re really into dairies. It will affect your stomach less because it has fewer fats.

The Takeaway

These are the big no-nos when it comes to snacking or eating before bed. But there can be better alternatives to these sleep-disturbing foods.

Just remember that the snack you are having before bed is the judge of your sleep.

Unhealthy foods are sure to make you stay awake and disturb your sleep. Choose wisely if you value your sleep.