The Worst Foods for Your Sleep

The connection between diet and sleep is strong, and if you eat the wrong foods, it can rob you of your sleep.

Here at CPAP Liquidators, we are in the sleep business. Our used BIPAP and CPAP machines have helped many obstructive sleep apnea sufferers find an effective, affordable solution to their sleep woes. But, we don’t stop there. We know that there are many things that can affect both the quantity and quality of your sleep, and in our latest blog series, we’ve been taking a close look at the connection between diet and sleep. In our first blog, we talked about how poor sleep can ruin your diet, and in our second blog, we talked about how what, when and how much you eat can affect your sleep. Today, we will be looking at the worst foods for your sleep:

#1. Spicy Foods

If you love strong flavors, then hot sauce may just be a god-send in your eyes. After all, it packs a flavorful punch, and it’s low (or nonexistent) in calories. However, the indigestion that commonly accompanies hot sauce and other spicy foods can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule. If you are lucky enough to remain unscathed by indigestion, you may find yourself staying awake due to the body temperature changes caused by spicy foods.

#2. Dark Chocolate

When you have a sweet tooth, dark chocolate can seem like a great, healthy alternative to other sweets, but you should avoid eating it too close to your bedtime. Caffeine and theobromine are two stimulants that are naturally found in chocolate, and they can charge up your nervous system, making you toss and turn for hours.

#3. Sugary Cereal

Is there anything more satisfying than a bowl of Fruit Loops or Cinnamon Toast Crunch late at night? While sugary cereals may hit the spot like nothing else, they can also disrupt your sleep like nothing else. Cereals that are high in sugar also tend to be low in fiber, and low-fiber diets have been linked to light sleep patterns. The sugar in these cereals can also throw off your sleep schedule, because eating them leads to a spike in blood sugar overnight, which could wake you up and disrupt your sleep hormones. If you want to snack on cereal at night, choose a low-sugar, high-fiber option.

#4. Burgers

When you’ve had a long day, it’s tempting to run by the drive-thru and cram a burger into your mouth before you pass out on your bed for the night. However, a burger really isn’t a great late night meal because of its high levels of saturated fat. Too much saturated fat is associated with increased wakefulness and lighter sleep.

#5. Yogurt

Many people turn to yogurt for an alternative to ice cream, and while it’s certainly better for your waistline than ice cream, it won’t do you any favors come bedtime. Yogurt, particularly Greek yogurt, is a great source of protein. Protein provides the body with sustained energy, which is great when you need a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, but can hinder your sleep at night.

In our next blog, we’ll be going over healthy eating habits that improve sleep quality, so please stay tuned to learn more.