Eating certain foods can make it difficult to sleep. MindBodyGreen consulted Registered Dietician Julie Stefanski, who says these foods should be avoided at bedtime:
Spicy food - the capsaicin in spicy food can disrupt some sleep cycles.
Alcohol - it interferes with deep, REM sleep and can make waking up difficult.
Fried & fatty foods - which can disrupt digestion in the middle of the night.
Acidic foods - You want to decrease stomach acid production before bedtime.
Carbonated and caffeinated beverages - carbonation also disrupts digestion and caffeine can keep you awake.
Big meals - Stefanski said you should avoid large meals before bed.
Stefanski recommends eating foods like bananas, chickpeas, nuts and seeds, and dark chocolate for a healthy dose of magnesium, which can support sleep.