9 Foods, Drinks and Other Substances That Mess Up Your Sleep

We all know getting a good night’s sleep is super important… And it feels amazing to wake up, refreshed, after you’ve had one.

Sometimes, though, it can be an uphill battle to get to sleep at night. What we do during the day has implications for our ability to get in some quality snooze time at the end of the day.

Some of the tips for getting good sleep are not going to bed until you are tired, setting a regular schedule to get up, not napping during the day, not watching TV, eating or reading in bed, and getting out of bed if you can’t fall asleep. In addition to those things, there are foods and drinks you should avoid consuming because they can trash your ability to sleep.

Here’s what to avoid if you want to get in some high quality ZZZs.

1. Caffeine

Caffeine late in the day is bad news. Caffeine is found in coffee, tee, cola drinks, chocolate and so on (you know, all the good stuff). However, it can also be found in some foods where you least likely expect it. Because it’s a stimulant, it will keep you perked up and awake. In fact, for some people, the effects of caffeine can stay in their systems for up to 10 to 12 hours, so you might want to cut yourself off early in the day in order to get in some shut eye at nights.

2. High-fat foods

Research has shown that people who eat a lot of high-fat foods experience disrupted sleep cycles. Heavy meals activate digestion and can lead to you having to make many trips to the bathroom during the night.

3. Fermented foods

Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, cured meats and aged cheeses contain an amino acid called tyramine which stimulates your brain and can get in the way of sleep.

4. Alcohol

The term “nightcap” for a cheeky drink or two before bedtime to, hopefully knock you out, is unfortunately a bit misleading. Researchers have found that alcohol causes us to wake during the night and reduces the quality of sleep. A glass at least two hours before you go to bed will help you avoid a sleepless night.

More foods that mess up your sleep next page!