Nowadays, the lifestyle of most of us makes it difficult to ensure rationally planned meals during the day. Sedentary work, stress, rush, overtime are just some of the factors that can ruin our health and figure. No wonder that when we finally catch our breath, we direct our steps towards the fridge.
Of all the dietary sins, such as snacking in front of the TV or between meals, eating food before bedtime has a particularly negative effect on us.
Eating before bed – is it really that bad?
Everything we eat before falling asleep must be digested. As a consequence, we wake up in the morning tired of the constant work of the stomach for several night hours, which should be spent on rest and regeneration. We have to quickly enter the rhythm of the day, and the body rebels, which is manifested by the lack of vitality, reduced efficiency of the immune system, and even fainting.
In optimal conditions, our body should calm down during sleep, slow down the pace of processes taking place in it. The heart calms down and so does our breathing. It is usually recommended that the last meal be eaten at 18.00 pm at the latest, 3 hours before bedtime, but we should take into account the actual time we go to bed. Otherwise, when we fall asleep around midnight, staying until then may prove to be a torture.
Everyone’s metabolism works a little differently, which is why many people who follow this recommendation may have difficulty maintaining the right weight. If you belong to this group, be sure to find time for physical activity that will improve metabolism and eliminate unhealthy snacks.
A gateway for night people with an appetite
As with every rule, there was a small but significant exception in this case. In a situation where hunger does not let us fall asleep, we can afford a snack in the limit of 200 calories. That’s how much it will cost, for example, a slice of lean turkey breast on a rice wafer, pieces of banana with oat flakes or a slice of wholegrain bread with a slice of lean cottage cheese.
People who return from training must afford a snack in the evening. In this case, regardless of the time, you need to make up for the glycogen that was lost during intense exercise. Otherwise, the muscle structures will not be able to regenerate. Before going to bed, however, avoid heavy food, which will overburden the liver and stomach. They should not be fried meals or based on red meat. Instead, salads, lean meats, vegetables, a banana and easily digestible carbohydrates are recommended.