You can eat pretty much any food in moderation and still maintain a healthy diet. However, the rules are slightly different for nighttime eating. If you are someone who needs a snack right before bed, there are some foods you should probably avoid (at least for the 2-3 hours before you go to sleep) since these foods can cause discomfort that makes falling asleep difficult.
Keep reading for more details.
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Acidic Foods
Foods with an acidic pH, like tomatoes (plus tomato-based foods) and citrus fruits, are not usually in the list of foods to avoid. However, if you are snacking on these acidic foods before bed, you could be contributing to some uncomfortable problems that make a restful night's sleep more challenging.
Kelly Jones MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, tells Eating Well, "For those with acid reflux problems (or women who temporarily have them while pregnant), tomatoes and other acidic foods can cause pain and discomfort in the esophagus when you lay down."
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According to Delish, foods with high acidity can cause "morning-after heartburn and indigestion."
With that in mind, dietitian Alissa Rumsey tells the outlet that you should stop eating these foods at least 3 hours before bed.
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Although you probably shouldn't chow down on tomatoes and citrus fruits right before bed, that doesn't mean they should be cut from your diet completely.
Healthline explains, "These foods are nutritious and shouldn’t be eliminated from your diet unless they cause or worsen reflux."
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