How Does Sugar Affect Your Sleep + What to Eat before Bed

Why Should You Not Eat Sugar before Bed

Sugar is harmful; sugar is bad! 

Well, we all have heard that one person who’s always in a panic about sugar intake!

Though, that doesn’t halt us from obsessively munching on it through ice creams and by putting it in tea and coffee.

But it also has another genuine impact that messes with your nap, and in such a way, that your insomnia will flee you with an appetite for more sugar.

Having too much sugar at night can be harmful to your health.

Too much sugar can lead to weight gain, causes tooth rot, and boosts the risk of diabetes. But what happens to your body when you give up sugar?

Let’s find that out by first understanding the effects of eating sugar.

Why Should You Not Eat Sugar before Bed?

There is a major connection between sugar and sleep quality.

Studies imply that the more sugar you consume throughout the day, the more likely you are to wake up in the middle of the night.

So, does sugar before bed keep you awake?  Indeed, the sugar operating in your system can drag you out of an intense slumber and leave you feeling tired the second day.

Thus, you must resist sugar before bed to sleep soundly! This is the main factor that hits your blood sugar levels off balance. 

This is the main reason why you should not eat sugar before bed.

There’s refined sugar in everything, quite literally! It’s present in your soda, barbecue sauces, breakfast cereals, desserts, juices, and even canned fruits.

You’ll be shocked to know that refined sugar also finds its way into white bread, regular pasta, and even white rice.

What Happens to Your Body When You Give Up Sugar?

So, what happens if you give up sugar for a month?

Whether it’s about stopping ordering an ice-cold cola with your burger or holding your fingers from grazing the candy dish at parties, removing sugar from your diet can have a substantial influence on your health.

If you’re somebody who regularly treats themselves to dessert with a cup of tea after dinner, select a granola bar instead.

Surveys have shown that when someone stops consuming sugar, there are identical impacts to when people get off drugs. You may suffer:

  • Tiredness,
  • headaches,
  • brain fog and irritability, and
  • gastrointestinal distress.

However, it’s not always bad to eat before bed, depending on what you eat.

Pros of Eating Before Bed [Diet Alternatives Other Than Refined Sugar]

Conversely, pros for consuming food before bed may include weight loss and napping better.

#1. Weight Loss

Ironic, right?

But, even in sleep, your body requires energy to recover as it’s healing from the earlier day.

If you’re a nighttime snack person, then eating a small after-dinner snack may also help you feel less hungry further into the night. This will decrease the chances of munching on multiple snacks in the middle of the night.  

Selecting certain nutritious snacks can satisfy hunger pangs and give your body the fuel it needs to heal at night. This may also lead to weight loss over time as you eat less unhealthy during the night.

#2. Tryptophan

Tryptophan is an amino acid that boosts serotonin and melatonin levels in the body.

We can’t generate tryptophan generally. Instead, we eat foods that include tryptophan to induce sleep.

Tryptophan-rich foods comprise milk, cheese, eggs, nuts, fish, and beans.

#3. Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone that governs sleep by affecting the body’s sleep-wake cycle. 

Good sources of melatonin contain cherries, walnuts, bananas, oats, and tomatoes.

#4. Sleep Better

A full stomach makes a person feel sleepy. However, a diet with nutritional value can make all the difference between a good night’s sleep and indigestion. 

Healthful snacks like apples and peanut butter or avocado toast contain exceptional nutrients. You can have them to increase satiety and prevent frequent nighttime snacking.

Wrapping Up

So, now we hope you know why you should not eat sugar before bed!

We propose you consume well throughout the day, commencing with plenty of protein for breakfast to balance fluctuating blood-sugar levels.

The less you rely on sugar and caffeine to strengthen you throughout the day, the more you can enjoy better sleep habits at night.

Healthy eating, exercise, and a night wind-down induce good sleep.

If you become hungry after dinner, avert reaching for that pint of ice cream or bag of chips. Sweets, junk foods, and spicy foods are high in calories and can activate appetite for more food. 

ALSO READ: Benefits of Eating Quinoa Every Day

Author: Horizon Clinics

Horizon Clinics is your ally in making all the right decisions for optimum physical and mental well-being. Stay connected to discover the latest scoop on diet plans, workouts, disease management, and healthcare products along with trending updates on research news.

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