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Some people think eating before is never a great idea, while others think it’s fine when it’s the right foods. What we never want to do is go to bed too full, but we also want to avoid snacking on foods that might disrupt our sleep even in small amounts.

Milk

Milk has actually be used as a way to get people to fall asleep, but in fact a lot of people have issues with the lactose and if you do it can definitely disrupt your sleep. Lactose is also a form of sugar, and you definitely don’t want to eat sugar before bed which can wake you up a few hours later when your blood sugar drops. The idea is on the right track however, since milk is a good source of protein. A protein shake might be a better option.

Pasta

A late night snack of pasta might not be so great for your waistline. Pasta is a simple carb that can spike your insulin levels, and it’s a pretty dense food so you might end up eating more calories and carbohydrates than you intended to. We don’t need as many carbohydrates while we rest at night as we do during the day, so they can end up being stored as fat later in the day which we don’t want.

Chocolate

Chocolate is a pretty tasty dessert option, but it is high in sugar and also contains caffeine which can lead to some tossing and turning for people who are sensitive to it. A lower sugar option would either to be have a chocolate protein shake or make a “brownie” using chocolate protein powder and an egg in the microwave.

Pizza

Pizza is a popular dinner option but make sure you don’t keep snacking on it until bedtime rolls around. Pizza is high in carbohydrates as well as saturated fat. The carbs in pizza will raise your insulin levels and the excess saturated fat will be hanging out waiting to be digested, which can mean fat gain.

Spicy Food

Spicy food before bed can be a recipe for disaster if you get heartburn. Chili peppers in particular are known for raising the metabolic rate which is good for burning calories, but it might also keep you up tossing and turning a bit if you eat them too soon before bed.

Too Much Meat

Eating protein before bed is the best choice, you just don’t want to overdo it. Somewhere around 20 grams of protein is plenty and won’t much affect the blood sugar or require too much energy for the body to digest. (How much you can tolerate of course depends on your own protein needs, some people need more than others.) Eating the right amount of protein before bed can actually help speed up your recovery and preserve lean muscle. Aim for hard boiled eggs or lean turkey as opposed to a fatty meat for the best results.

 

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