How Eating Sweets Affects Sleep

You are what you eat. We've all head the saying, and if you are having difficulty at night sleeping it could be due to your diet. Late night eaters should beware foods that are high in sugar, as they trigger metabolic imbalances causing insomnia. Therefore, foods such as candy bars or soda pop should be avoided at bedtime.

We all tend to have cravings. These occur equally in men and women. They are triggered when blood sugar in the body is depleted. When food is eaten, it is converted into glucose. Blood sugar or glucose is first transported to the brain, muscles, organs and other tissues to assist with their function. When our glucose level drops the body signals the brain that it is time to eat. If this happens at night it can be extremely problematic for sleep.

If you are used to eating foods that are high in sugar content for the quick burst of energy they provide, your body will crave these snacks more often. It is especially important at night not to eat after 7 p.m. and to limit carbohydrate intake because of their sugar to energy conversion levels.

Foods high in sugar rev up the body, therefore, raising the brain chemical, serotonin. It is this brain chemical that regulates appetite, muscle contraction, sleep and other cognitive functions that include memory and learning.

Food, which is lower in sugar will reduce snack attacks. This is due to the slower release of sugar into the blood stream. It has the ability to provide your body with a consistently sustainable energy source for a much longer period. Individuals that eat foods lower in sugar have fewer blood hormone variations and less food cravings associated with sleep disturbances.

Furthermore, instead of eating large quantities of sugar-laden food at longer intervals, try eating low-sugar foods in smaller quantities at shorter intervals. 

If you are hungry for a light snack at night before bed, it is advisable to limit any sugary foods and opt or a snack which is more nutritious such as a turkey sandwich.