4 Foods That Cause Insomnia

By Almaz Rabb

There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to sleep – and even worse, not knowing why you can’t get to sleep. While there may be a number of factors at play that are stopping you from sleeping easy, the foods that you are eating could be standing between you and a night of sweet dreams.
According to registered nutritionist and model Alicia Rountree, when trying to figure out why we cannot sleep we often overlook the food that we are eating. “Sure, we all have times when stress is the culprit and we find ourselves tossing and turning all night. But stress may not be the only reason you’re still tossing and turning,” she wrote in an article on Byrdie.

1. Red meat

According to Rountree, meat is difficult to digest and therefore having it late at night may force your  body to work harder than it should at that hour. “High-protein fatty animal meat is one of the toughest foods for our bodies to digest. If you happen to eat red meat in the evening, make a conscious effort to chew it properly to ease its digestibility,” said Rountree.

2. Spicy foods

“Spicy foods are another treat better left for daytime,” she said. “A spicy meal can cause indigestion and irritation of the upper digestive tract. This can cause pain and acid reflux, which can prevent you from getting a peaceful night of sleep.”

3. Drinks

In the habit of drinking a whole lot of liquids before bed? Rountree says that this could be the reason you just can’t seem to get to sleep. “Yes, that’s why you wake up twice in the night to go to the bathroom. It is so important to have an uninterrupted full night’s sleep. Try to stop consuming any liquids after 8 p.m. (just make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day),” she said.

4. Alcohol

“You may think a glass of wine will help you unwind, but it can actually disrupt your sleep cycle,” said Rountree. “You may fall asleep faster, but you’re likely to find yourself unable to stay asleep—and end up with a headache in the morning. Make sure you drink enough water to balance out the effects of alcohol.”

http://www.m2now.co.nz/11-4-foods-that-cause-insomnia/