Foods That Sabotage Your Sleep
Thursday April 1, 2010
I know you have all heard how important sleep is to your health. We all want it but many of us don't get enough of it. Heck, lately, I have been not getting enough for sure & I do feel the difference! Well, just in case you have not heard, some foods can keep us awake at night too. Here are 5 of those foods that can create havoc with your sleep cycle! Crap, look at #1. How dare they!!!
Oh, weddings contribute to lack of sleep too!!!
I know you have all heard how important sleep is to your health. We all want it but many of us don't get enough of it. Heck, lately, I have been not getting enough for sure & I do feel the difference! Well, just in case you have not heard, some foods can keep us awake at night too. Here are 5 of those foods that can create havoc with your sleep cycle! Crap, look at #1. How dare they!!!
Oh, weddings contribute to lack of sleep too!!! If you’re having trouble sleeping, what about a midnight snack? Think twice–here are five foods that can prevent you from getting a good night’s rest:
1. Chocolate.
Love an evening cup of cocoa? That sundae in front of the TV? Be careful of chocolate in all its disguises. Many people are increasingly sensitive to caffeine as they get older, and even the little chocolate chunks in chocolate chip ice cream could zap you just enough to prevent ZZZZs. Chocolate also contains tyrosine, a stimulating amino acid.
2. Preserved and smoked meats.
Slap your hand away when it reaches to make a ham sandwich as an evening snack. Ham, bacon, sausages, and smoked meats contain high levels of the amino acid tyramine, which triggers the brain to release norepinephrine, a brain stimulant that makes us feel alert and wired.
Slap your hand away when it reaches to make a ham sandwich as an evening snack. Ham, bacon, sausages, and smoked meats contain high levels of the amino acid tyramine, which triggers the brain to release norepinephrine, a brain stimulant that makes us feel alert and wired.
3. Energy drinks.
Red Bull and other energy drinks are high in caffeine as well as the amino acid taurine, which boosts alertness and adrenaline. Recent studies have shown that even if you drink energy drinks early in the day, the combined high dosage of taurine and caffeine can make it hard to sleep, or to sleep well, later on.
Red Bull and other energy drinks are high in caffeine as well as the amino acid taurine, which boosts alertness and adrenaline. Recent studies have shown that even if you drink energy drinks early in the day, the combined high dosage of taurine and caffeine can make it hard to sleep, or to sleep well, later on.
4. Tomato sauce, chili, pizza, and spicy foods.
Digestive disturbances are a common source of sleep problems, but many people fail to make the connection. Acidic and spicy foods can cause reflux, heartburn, and other symptoms that interrupt sleep.
Digestive disturbances are a common source of sleep problems, but many people fail to make the connection. Acidic and spicy foods can cause reflux, heartburn, and other symptoms that interrupt sleep.
5. The nightcap.
A drink or two may make you feel more relaxed after dinner, but it comes back to haunt you–literally–a few hours later, by preventing you from achieving deep sleep. And because alcohol both dehydrates you and makes you have to pee, it wakes you up, too. Wine is high in the stimulant tyrosine as well.
A drink or two may make you feel more relaxed after dinner, but it comes back to haunt you–literally–a few hours later, by preventing you from achieving deep sleep. And because alcohol both dehydrates you and makes you have to pee, it wakes you up, too. Wine is high in the stimulant tyrosine as well.
Any surprises for anyone here? What do you do to make sure you get enough sleep? Do you notice the difference in your daily activities & even how you look when you don't get enough sleep?
For those that get on the computer on Fridays, I will have a little surprise. No, nothing to get all excited about but just something fun.
For those that get on the computer on Fridays, I will have a little surprise. No, nothing to get all excited about but just something fun.
Posted by truth2beingfit at 4/1/2010 12:01 AM 
Categories: Health Issues, Health
Tags: Health Issues sleep health eating food
Categories: Health Issues, Health
Tags: Health Issues sleep health eating food
I need to be aware of all of the above - being the night owl that I am. Thanks for the post Jody.
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I for one am lacking sleep this week, and feel it greatly. It affects my whole day including my positive attitude and getting my rear to the gym after work!
Good article, didn't know about the chocolate or the meats.
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I generally don't struggle with sleep, but my wife sure does. I will be sure to pass this on to her.
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Chocolate's caffeine gets me, I didn't know about the other component that could cause sleeplessness though. Thanks for giving me another reason not to indulge.
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I didn't know that about the meats. I stop eating after 7:30 p.m., that helps (and helps with weight loss).
Here's another for the list: some sleep-aids (melatonin?) have a similar affect like alcohol, sleepy at first, then awake a few hours later.
My husband can't sleep if he exercises right before bed (then he keeps me awake!).
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Pizza has ALWAYS done me in. In particular acidic foods. Great list. I never thought about the nightcap this way, but then again I rarely drink before I go to bed - or at all for that matter.
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Useful list, Jody! If one is having sleep difficulties, I would suggest they investigate taking a small melatonin supplement at bedtime.
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How dare they??!! chocolate and wine...don't take that way from me!! Sleep its can be such an enemy or your best friend...hope you are enjoying all the festivities!!
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I love spicy food and eat a lot of hot sauce, but since I lost weight - I never get the reflux I used to.
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Not chocolate!! haha! Can I have it before a certain time at night? I've actually cut WAY back on spicy cheesy pizza like foods and I feel way better. but chocolate...ahhh! haha! Great info! Thanks
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