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Five Foods that Disrupt Sleep

Submitted by New Jersey Snoring Solutions on Fri 01/27/2017 - 09:00
Foods that disrupt sleep

Have you noticed you sleep better on some nights than others? The reason behind this may lie in what you eat before going to bed. Dr. Ivan Stein of New Jersey Sleep Apnea Solutions discusses five foods that are known to disrupt sleep.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is a popular snack many people like to indulge in. However, doing so can keep you up at night. Dark chocolate can contain high levels of caffeine and fat that can interfere with you getting a good night’s rest. Avoid or limit dark chocolate before going to bed. Other caffeinated foods and drinks should also be off limits at least six hours before going to bed.

Steak

Steak and other red meats are high in protein, which take a longer time to break down and digest than other meats and foods. Eating steak too close to your bedtime causes your body to spend more time working on digestion rather than resting.

Spicy Foods

Spicy foods can cause a slew of body reactions that can keep you up at night, including heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux. If you fancy spicy foods, we recommend you avoid eating them in the hours before going to bed. Often times, heartburn worsens when lying down because acid reaches the esophagus easier.

French Fries

French fries and other fried foods high in fat also take longer for your body to break down and digest, and can even lead to abdominal discomfort at night. If you choose to eat fatty foods, make sure to do so at least three hours before bed so your body can digest them properly without compromising your sleep.

Broccoli

It’s no secret that broccoli is chockfull of essential nutrients. But what many people are not aware of is that this nutritious food can also cause bouts of gas as the body works to break it down, which can interrupt sleep. Try to get your dose of broccoli at lunchtime or before dinner.

If you avoid these foods but still have trouble sleeping, the reason may be sleep apnea, a common disorder that causes cessations in a person’s breathing when sleeping. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, irritability and mood swings. To learn more about sleep apnea, including treatment options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ivan Stein. Call New Jersey Sleep Apnea Solutions at (855) WHY-SNORE or (855) 949-7667 today.