8 Foods You Shouldn't Eat at Night

If you're tempted to snack before bed, don't grab the first thing in the fridge that catches your eye. While some foods—light carbohydrate snacks like crackers or an apple—can actually help you fall asleep, many others can disrupt your sleep, causing nightmares, stomach discomfort, insomnia, and trips to the bathroom.

Pizza

You might reconsider ordering pizza late at night… for a variety of reasons. The cheesy toppings can trigger nightmares, according to a recent study, and the acidic tomato sauce can lead to stomach aches and midnight trips to the bathroom. Plus, pizza is much more than a late-night snack; a second dinner will pack a lot of extra calories you probably don't need.

Coffee

Some people manage to drink a cup of espresso in the middle of the night and fall asleep soundly, but not everyone is so lucky. If caffeine is affecting your sleep, try to consume it six hours before bed.

Sweet cereal

We understand that sometimes you might crave cereal before bed. But it's much better to choose low-sugar, high-fiber cereals, or bran cereals. Sugary cereals are quickly digested, and the spike in blood sugar can neutralize some sleep hormones, while low-fiber foods can make your sleep more shallow and light. Sometimes it's best to skip the snack and just go to bed—lack of sleep can cause your body to crave extra energy through hunger, leading to cravings (especially sugar).

Spicy

Spicy foods don't just stimulate your taste buds—they can irritate your stomach (especially problematic if you suffer from heartburn), making it difficult to fall asleep or causing restless sleep.

Soda

Carbonated drinks are not recommended for consumption before bed due to the gas and possibly caffeine they contain. Non-diet sodas also contain a lot of sugar, which is a strong stimulant. Sugar can make you sleep more lightly, which will significantly impair your restful sleep.

Wine

A glass or two of wine may make you feel drowsy at first, but alcohol actually disrupts your natural sleep patterns. Regular drinking (especially before bed) can impair sleep quality and also cause you to get up more often during the night to go to the bathroom.

Orange juice

Citrus fruits are high in acid, which is especially problematic if you have a sensitive bladder or burp frequently. Instead, try eating another whole fruit, like an apple. The carbohydrates can help you sleep, and the fiber will help your body absorb sugar more slowly.

Burgers

A heavy, fatty snack like a burger makes your digestive tract work harder, which can interfere with your sleep. A recent study found that consuming large amounts of fats high in saturated fatty acids leads to restless sleep.