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

5. Spicy food

If you’re a fan of spicy food, it might not be a fan of you getting to sleep. Spicy food can lead to heartburn and can also make you uncomfortable as you try to digest it. If you have a spicy meal, try to make it at least four hours before bedtime.

6. Protein

Bad news for you low carbers. Protein can be a bad choice to snack on before bedtime, as protein-rich, high-fat foods are harder for you to digest.

7. Drinking fluids later in the evening

It’s important you stay hydrated and get in as much water during the day as you are meant to. But before bedtime, you should cut your water intake down – from about 8 pm onward if possible. If you have a lot of water on board, you’ll be constantly interrupting your sleep by waking to use the bathroom.

8. Cigarettes

A lot of people think smoking is relaxing. But nicotine is actually a stimulant, so if you light up before bed time, you might be harming your sleep.

9. Eating too much before bed

A little bit of food in your tummy can help you to sleep, but you need to make sure the snack is small, so don’t pig out. Heavy meals are taxing on the digestive system and are counterproductive, because they’ll make you uncomfortable and unable to sleep.