Experts recommend 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, yet many of us fall short. Late-night Netflix marathons play a role for some, while others simply struggle to drift off despite exhaustion. Among the factors behind insufficient sleep, diet is often overlooked. What you eat before bed directly influences your ability to fall asleep. Here are 9 foods to avoid in the evening for better rest.
When you sleep, most organs get a well-deserved break (aside from those essential for survival). However, certain foods can disrupt this by demanding lengthy digestion. This keeps your digestive system active, making it harder for your body to relax and enter deep sleep.
These may be hard to hear, but we've all been there. High-fat foods and saturated fats top the list, challenging your digestion—like a hearty pizza or plate of fries in front of the TV. Energizing options such as chocolate, pistachios, and Chinese takeout also rev you up. Fruits and veggies aren't innocent either: tomatoes trigger norepinephrine production, ramping up brain activity, much like deli meats. Broccoli, despite its health halo, has fiber that slows things down. Finally, red meat lingers due to its high protein content.
