7 Types Of Foods You Should Avoid Before Bed

By Ujjainee Roy

February 12 2024

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Getting a good night's sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, but certain foods can disrupt your sleep quality if consumed too close to bedtime. While some foods can promote relaxation and help you drift off to sleep peacefully, others can cause digestive discomfort, heartburn, or energy spikes. Here are some foods you should avoid bedtime.

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Coffee

Coffee, tea, energy drinks, and other caffeinated beverages are known stimulants that can interfere with sleep. Consuming caffeine late in the day can make it difficult to fall asleep and may lead to restlessness.

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Spicy Foods

Spicy foods like chili peppers, curry, and hot sauce can cause indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux. To minimize the risk of digestive issues and ensure a restful night's sleep, it's best to avoid spicy foods in the evening.

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Fatty Foods

High-fat foods such as fried foods, greasy snacks, and fatty meats can take longer to digest and may cause discomfort when consumed before bed. These foods can lead to indigestion, bloating, and feelings of heaviness.

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Alcoholic Beverages

While alcohol may initially make you feel drowsy and relaxed, it can disrupt your sleep cycle and lead to fragmented or shallow sleep patterns. and interfere with the body's ability to enter into deep sleep stages.

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Citrus Foods

Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are acidic and can exacerbate acid reflux and heartburn, particularly when consumed before lying down. The acidic nature of these fruits can irritate the esophagus and cause discomfort.

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Rich Desserts

Indulging in heavy, rich desserts like cakes, pastries, and ice cream before bed can lead to discomfort and digestive issues. These desserts are typically high in sugar, fat, and calories, which can cause bloating, gas, and indigestion. 

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Chocolate

Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, stimulants that can interfere with sleep when consumed in large amounts. Additionally, chocolate is high in sugar and fat, which can cause energy spikes and disrupt sleep patterns. 

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