Nutrition Expert Disburses 9 Foods Causes Difficulty Sleeping At Night

JAKARTA - Sleep well at night is often difficult, especially with many things that affect our mind and body every day. But who would have thought that the food consumed could also be the main cause of difficulty sleeping?

Briana Rodriquez, RDN, certified nutritionist and personal trainer from Jenny Craig revealed that some types of food and drinks can actually interfere with sleep quality if consumed ahead of rest time.

"If you immediately sleep after eating big, digestion will slow down and the food is stored as fat, not turned into energy. As a result, the body feels uncomfortable and you find it difficult to sleep," said Rodriquez, quoted from the Real Simple page.

He also suggested eating large portions of breakfast and having a light dinner so that the body has enough time to digest.

Here are 9 foods and drinks that Rodriquez should avoid before going to bed.

1. Spicy Food

Who doesn't like spicy food? However, strong spices can cause heartburn (hot feeling in the chest) and digestive disorders, especially when lying down.

"If you often experience heartburn, you should eat spicy food during the day," said Rodriquez.

2. Alcohol

Many people think a glass of wine or alcoholic beverages can help sleep faster. But research shows otherwise.

"Alcohol can make you sleepy quickly, but the quality of your sleep is getting worse. You will wake up frequently and feel tired the next day," said Rodriquez.

Rodriquez suggests replacing a night drink with more soothing chamomile tea.

3. Coffee

Caffeine is the main enemy of sleep. Although some people feel unaffected, Rodriquez advises not to drink coffee six hours before bedtime.

"If you need additional energy in the afternoon, try green tea or carbonated water as an alternative," he suggested.

4. Dark Chocolate

Although known to be healthier than milk chocolate, black chocolate still contains caffeine.

"Black coating can keep the brain active. So worry about a few hours before bed so as not to interfere with rest time," he explained.

5. Pizza

Rodriquez calls pizza a delicious but dangerous food for those of you who want to sleep.

"T tomatoes sauce in pizza is acidic and can trigger digestive disorders. Especially if you add dry chili powder. The combination of acidity and tiramin can make the stomach feel uncomfortable," he said.

6. Soda

Soda is known for its high sugar and empty calories. When taken before bed, the body will find it difficult to digest and tend to store these calories as fat. In addition, soda also contains caffeine that keeps you awake.

7. Processed Meat and Cheese

Old processed meat and cheese contain tiramines, amino acids that can increase brain activity and make it difficult for you to calm down.

"Try consuming this food during the day so that the body can relax more at night," said Rodriquez.

8. Fat and Sugar High Foods

Sweet snacks or fatty foods before bed can disrupt sleep patterns.

"High foods of sugar and fat can interfere with the metabolic system and make you sleep not well," said Rodriquez.

He suggests choosing high-protein and low-fat foods at night.

9. Sitrus Fruit

Fruits such as oranges and lemons are healthy, but having a natural diuretic effect can make you urinate frequently at night. The result is that sleep is disturbed because you have to go back and forth to the bathroom.