A nutritious diet is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. However, the time of our meals is as important as the choices we make. While some foods are high in nutrition, they may not be the ideal options for late-night intake. Choosing what to eat at night is critical for general health and well-being.
Some Foods Should be Avoided at Night
Certain foods can impair our sleep, digestion, and overall comfort as the day winds down. Some healthful foods may be beneficial during the day, but they are hazardous at night. Here’s a list of some of these nutritious foods.
Why You Should Avoid Curd at Night
There is no doubt that curd is a nutritious food with numerous benefits. When we eat it during the day, the healthy bacteria in it take care of our digestion. Curd strengthens our bones and boosts our immune. However, consuming high-quality curd at night can be damaging to your health (1). Because of its chilly nature, it may cause mucus and gas development in the stomach.
Avoid Eating Fruits After Sunset
Fruit is good for everyone, whether they are patients or healthy people. It is, however, healthier to consume them during the day. Consuming the fruit after sunset is considered detrimental since its cooling tendency can produce phlegm. They also contain carbs and sugar, which can raise blood sugar levels and disrupt sleep. Furthermore, eating them at night produces gas and constipation (2).
Can Eating Chicken at Night Cause Sleep Disruption?
Chicken includes a lot of protein, which takes more time and energy to digest. As a result, eating late at night causes sleep disruption (3). If you must eat, do it in small portions and a balanced manner.
Do Not Consume Fatty Foods at Night
When we eat fatty foods at night, our digestive system works till late at night to break them down and digest them, disrupting our sleep (4). As a result, specialists advise against consuming fatty foods at night.
Dry Fruits are Difficult to Digest at Night
Dry fruits contain high amounts of carbs, sugar, vitamins, minerals, and all nutrients, which are helpful if eaten early in the morning, but cannot be broken down by stomach enzymes if consumed late in the evening or at night.
References:
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Sabnis M. Viruddha Ahara: A critical view. Ayu. 2012 Jul;33(3):332-6. doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.108817. PMID: 23723637; PMCID: PMC3665091. - Gas and Bloating
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Hasler WL. Gas and Bloating. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2006 Sep;2(9):654-662. PMID: 28316536; PMCID: PMC5350578. - Habitual Meat Consumption and Changes in Sleep Duration and Quality in Older Adults
Lana A, Struijk EA, Arias-Fernandez L, Graciani A, Mesas AE, Rodriguez-Artalejo F, Lopez-Garcia E. Habitual Meat Consumption and Changes in Sleep Duration and Quality in Older Adults. Aging Dis. 2019 Apr 1;10(2):267-277. doi: 10.14336/AD.2018.0503. PMID: 31011478; PMCID: PMC6457059. - Fiber and Saturated Fat Are Associated with Sleep Arousals and Slow Wave Sleep
St-Onge MP, Roberts A, Shechter A, Choudhury AR. Fiber and Saturated Fat Are Associated with Sleep Arousals and Slow Wave Sleep. J Clin Sleep Med. 2016 Jan;12(1):19-24. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.5384. PMID: 26156950; PMCID: PMC4702189.
Source: Medindia