Avoid Eating These Worst Foods Before Sleep And 5 Bad Sleeping Habits To Break Immediately. Experts always recommend having a light dinner as heavy food is not easily digested at night. However, there are times when dinner can become heavy due to social events or carelessness, leading us to consume the wrong foods, which are not suitable for nighttime consumption.
Any wrong eating habit can have an impact on our bodies. Digestion takes longer at night, so it’s important to be cautious while having dinner and avoid foods that may cause discomfort. Consuming heavy food before sleep can lead to issues like gas, heartburn, and indigestion. Therefore, it’s advisable to avoid the following four foods before going to bed at night.
Avoid Eating These Worst Foods Before Sleep
1. Coffee
While a cup of coffee may be enjoyable after a tiring day, it’s best to avoid drinking coffee, especially before bedtime. Coffee contains caffeine, which stimulates the body and can hinder sleep. Some people rely on coffee to stay awake, but this is an unhealthy habit. Continued consumption of coffee can lead to problems like insomnia or sleeplessness.
2. Cold Drinks
Many people have a habit of having a glass of cold drink after dinner, often stored in the refrigerator. While it may provide temporary relief, cold drinks can cause issues in the body. The high carbonation content in cold drinks is harmful to the body, despite the momentary energy boost they provide.
3. Fast Food
Fast food is generally unhealthy, and it’s best to minimize its consumption. Avoid eating pizza, burgers, mughlai dishes, instant noodles, especially at night when hunger strikes. These foods take a long time to digest and introduce excess calories into the body. Since calories are not easily burned at night, indulging in such high-calorie foods can lead to gastric problems and disrupt sleep.
4. Foods Rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin C is crucial for our bodies, as it plays a vital role in boosting immunity. While it’s important to consume foods rich in this vitamin throughout the day, it’s best to avoid them at night. Some foods high in vitamin C may contain acids that can cause discomfort. It’s recommended to avoid eating fruits or any foods containing vitamin C at night.
By being mindful of the foods we consume before sleep, we can promote better digestion, avoid discomfort, and improve the quality of our sleep.
5 Bad Sleeping Habits To Break Immediately
Our habits greatly impact our overall health. Some habits promote a healthy mind, while others support a healthy body. On the other hand, certain habits can pose risks to our well-being. Good habits can prevent illness, while bad habits can make us sick. Consistency in daily activities such as eating, sleeping, and bathing is essential. There are also specific habits to avoid at night to safeguard your health. Here are five things to steer clear of during nighttime:
1. Staying up late
The ideal time to sleep is around 10 PM. From 10 PM to 2 AM is considered prime time when our metabolism is at its peak. It is advisable to have dinner between 7 PM to 7:30 PM and aim to go to bed early. This healthy habit aids digestion and supports liver detoxification. It helps in weight control, regulates blood sugar levels, and enhances nutrient absorption. Consistently staying up late can lead to mental health issues, vitamin deficiencies, and poor gut health.
2. Overeating at night
It is recommended to have an early dinner, ideally before sunset or within a few hours thereafter. Try to finish dinner by 8 PM. Eating late disrupts metabolism, liver detoxification, and sleep. The habit of having dinner late can contribute to conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and cardiovascular problems.
3. Eating when not hungry
Often, we eat out of “eye hunger” or due to external factors. True hunger arises only when the previously consumed food is properly digested. Eating without genuine hunger puts additional strain on the liver. Therefore, experts advise eating only when genuinely hungry. Ignoring hunger or eating when not hungry can negatively impact metabolism.
4. Excessive exercise
Experts caution against exercising beyond one’s capacity. Overexertion can lead to fatigue and may cause bleeding disorders, muscle contractions, cough, fever, excessive thirst, and even vomiting. It is healthy to exercise until you break a sweat, but pushing beyond your body’s limits without proper nutrition can result in severe damage. It is advisable to avoid excessive exercise, particularly at night.
5. Multitasking
Avoid multitasking or engaging in multiple tasks simultaneously at night. It increases the production of cortisol (stress hormone) in our bodies, which can elevate the risk of autoimmune and lifestyle disorders. Focusing on one task at a time with mindfulness improves performance, reduces stress, and promotes a calm mind.
By avoiding these five habits at night, you can promote better health and well-being.