Avoid these foods before bed if you want a peaceful night’s sleep
We’ve all heard the old wives’ tale that cheese before bed leads to bad dreams – but is it true? According to Charli Davies, a sleep expert from Snuzzze, partnered with Gower Eats, there’s some truth to it – and a few other surprise culprits too.
Davies says: “Eating certain foods close to bedtime can cause vivid or unsettling dreams because your body is working overtime to digest them, which messes with your sleep cycles.”
Foods to bin off before bed
- Spicy foods — Wave goodbye to your late-night curry! Spicy dishes can raise your body temperature and keep you tossing and turning.
- Fatty foods — Chocolate, buttery pastries, and rich desserts can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, making it harder to sleep soundly.
- Tyramine-packed foods — This sneaky amino acid hides in aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented foods. It can ramp up your heart rate and blood pressure, making it tricky to drift off.
Sweet dream foods and drink to try instead
- A different type of dairy – A warm glass of milk or low-fat yogurt can help your body relax thanks to calming tryptophan.
- Bananas – Packed with magnesium and potassium, they help muscles unwind for a restful night.
- Nuts and seeds- Almonds and walnuts are rich in melatonin, your body’s natural sleep hormone.
- Herbal teas – Chamomile and peppermint are soothing, perfect for winding down before bed.
So, while cheese isn’t directly giving you nightmares, it could be messing with your sleep, which leads to those bonkers dreams.
Davies adds: “At the end of the day, your dreams are more influenced by what’s on your mind, stress at work, a tense TV show, or unresolved worries. But cutting out these foods before bed could help you sleep more peacefully.”
