Foods to avoid if you’re having trouble sleeping… including the worst two for keeping you up all night
IF you’re having trouble sleeping, you might want to take a look at your diet.
While it’s common knowledge that caffeine is an ingredient that can cause havoc with your sleep patterns, did you know it’s also not advisable to eat tomatoes before bed?
This is because tomatoes can cause acid reflux and other digestive issues, which can make it uncomfortable and less likely that you’ll be able to switch off.
Onions are also another vegetable likely to play havoc with your digestive system.
“Onions create gas as they move through your digestive system,” The Sleep Association said.
“That gas affects the pressure within your stomach, which can send acid back up your oesophagus, especially when you’re lying down flat.
“Sadly, both raw and grilled onions have this effect.”
As well as watching what you eat, it’s a good idea to monitor alcohol intake, in addition to how much caffeine you’re having – especially before bed.
And remember that caffeine – which interferes with the process of falling asleep and prevents you from falling into a deep, satisfying sleep – can be found in a variety of food and drinks.
While tea, coffee and some other fizzy drinks all contain caffeine, it can also be found in chocolate and some pain relief medication.
Lack of sleep can have a big effect on mental health, as well as the physical.
“Studies have shown that people who sleep less than 7 hours a day tend to gain more weight and have a higher risk of becoming obese than those who get 7 hours,” the NHS said.
“It’s believed to be because sleep-deprived people have reduced levels of leptin (the chemical that makes you feel full) and increased levels of ghrelin (the hunger-stimulating hormone).”
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