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Chocolate for pudding, steak and chilli… the surprising foods that could be sabotaging your sleep

Certain foods seriously hinder our ability to get a decent kip

WE all know how important sleep is to our health, but certain foods can actually hinder our ability to get a decent amount of shut-eye.

If you’re struggling to get a decent night’s kip, it could be down to your diet.

What you eat - and when you eat it - could be wrecking your sleep
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What you eat - and when you eat it - could be wrecking your sleepCredit: Getty Images

Here are six foods that may be contributing to restless nights…

Night-time wine

Ditch that evening bevvy if you want a decent kip
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Ditch that evening bevvy if you want a decent kipCredit: Getty Images

Plenty of us will be guilty of this, but if you’re partial to a glass (or two) of wine before bed, you could actually be setting yourself up for a fail when it comes to getting good quality sleep.

A boozy beverage might help to put you to sleep, but it will really hinder how ‘good’ that sleep is.

This is because while alcohol can put you to sleep, it becomes a stimulant as it leaves our system – meaning you will likely wake up in the middle of the night.

Steak

Steak can disrupt a good kip
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Steak can disrupt a good kipCredit: Getty Images

Fatty, protein rich foods such as steak take a while to digest - so may seriously disrupt our Circadian rhythm if eaten too close to bedtime.

What's more, high-fat, high-protein diets in general have been linked to sleep apnea - which can leave you extra tired and irritable.

Broccoli

Slow-digesting veg, like broccoli, can lead to issues with sleep
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Slow-digesting veg, like broccoli, can lead to issues with sleepCredit: Getty Images

Eating slow-to-digest, fibre rich veggies like broccoli too close to bedtime can keep your body working well into the night, even while you’re trying to get some sleep.

Chilli

Chilli rings major alarm bells when it comes to eating it before bed. The hot, spicy nature of the dish combined with tummy disgruntling beans makes for a nightmare when it comes to getting a decent snooze.

Late night, heavy dinners

Eating late at night forces the body to work when it should be resting
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Eating late at night forces the body to work when it should be restingCredit: Getty Images

Aim to eat earlier if you want a decent amount of sleep.

Eating heavy dinners late in the evening mean our bodies focus energy on digesting the food - rather than relaxing completely.

Caffeine after 12pm

Try to stay caffeine free after midday if you want to sleep soundly
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Try to stay caffeine free after midday if you want to sleep soundlyCredit: Getty Images

We all probably know it’s not wise to drink a coffee near bedtime – but any time after 12pm could actually be keeping us up.

This is because caffeine has the ability to stay in our system for a very long time and its stimulating effects can last up to 12 hours.

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Chocolate

That chocolatey treat could wreak havoc with your night's sleep
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That chocolatey treat could wreak havoc with your night's sleepCredit: Getty Images

A chocolate treat might sound the perfect after-dinner indulgence – but it’s time to ditch it if you want a good night’s rest.

This is because chocolate also contains caffeine, so maybe try a different pudding instead.

Protein powders

Watch out for protein powders with added B vitamins
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Watch out for protein powders with added B vitaminsCredit: Getty Images

You may think you’re being healthy and going for a ‘light’ option with that protein shake, but it may actually be ruining your kip.
Make sure you check the label on your favourite brand as some protein powders have added vitamins and minerals which may lead to an unwanted energy surge if taken before bed.
You should be particularly wary of added B vitamins - which can pep you up and make it hard to get to sleep.

Water

Too much water before bed can mean late night loo-runs
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Too much water before bed can mean late night loo-runsCredit: Getty Images

While it is wise to stay hydrated, drinking too much water in the evening will have you running to the loo during the night – ruining your sleep.

Try to drink more water throughout the day to combat this.

This will leave you feeling less parched in the evening, and less likely to gulp down too much liquid before bed.

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