Is it true that eating chocolate before going to bed affects sleeping?

Answer 1

What you eat during the day and evening can affect your sleeping patterns. If your diet consists of a high amount of processed foods you may want to try eating more wholesome products.

You may want to eliminate, reduce, or substitute the amount of sugars, fats, and preservatives from your daily intake of food. This may benefit your ability to fall asleep at night as well as improve your general health.

Eat a well balanced diet by following the recommended daily food allowance.

Make sure you are meeting the daily requirements for fresh fruits and vegetables. Eat complex carbohydrates and choose protein that is low in fat. You can also choose healthy meat substitutes, such at tofu and vegetarian burgers.

Become aware of any food allergies that you have and try to avoid them. If your body is allergic to certain foods it may affect the way you think and feel.

This could be a contributing factor to your sleep problem. Some common food allergies that are known to contribute to insomnia are corn, dairy products, wheat, and chocolate.

Try to schedule your last evening meal at least four hours before bed. Eat a healthy, well balanced meal. Try not to overeat as this may cause you to become tired after your meal.

You want to avoid feeling tired or napping in the early evening hours as this will greatly hinder your ability to fall asleep at bedtime. As well, try to eat enough so that you are not hungry later and find yourself reaching for foods that are high in fat or sugars.

If you find that you are hungry before bed you may find that a small snack an hour or two before bedtime will help. Avoid foods that are high in protein, fats, and sugars.

You should also avoid foods that are too heavy or spicy. Try a bit of cereal and milk or one serving of low-fat yogurt. The key idea is to provide your body with a bit of nourishment to avoid hunger pangs and not overindulge in an evening snack.

The goal is to reduce your hunger and allow your body to rest and relax.

Make sure that you drink enough water during the day. Studies show that your daily recommended water intake should be around 8 glasses, or 2 liters.

If your body is well hydrated it won't signal you to wake up during the night. Try to avoid drinking water or other liquids one hour before bed if the need to urinate wakes you up during the night.

The healthier you eat the more balanced you will feel both physically and emotionally.

The target here is to get you to sleep regularly and deeply without waking during the night.

Answer 2

Chocolate has naturally occurring caffeine in it, so depending on how much you ate, it could. Most of us won't notice the difference. I hate to admit it, but the worst thing that happens if you eat chocolate in bed is...ahem...the melted chocolate bedspread incident. I did it last night, with a chocolate ice cream bar. I fell asleep after 2 bites. Funny, it had no affect on my sleep...
Oh, yeah, hot chocolate actually helps you fall asleep. You can get lots of info about this at RealAge.com and Prevention.com. Put in "Dove dark" and see what you get at Prevention.com.

Answer 3

For one thing it has caffeine. That affects may people's ability to sleep (though some people say a cup of coffee will put them to sleep--that's not as common though).

Also there's a high likelihood chocolate will cause heartburn (that horrible burning in your throat).

Best not to eat chocolate before bed.

Answer 4

Hi..Caffeine is a natural chemical..It's found in leaves, coffee beans, and cocoa, to name a few.Caffeine has been in food for hundreds of years.
Caffeine, which is found in cocoa, acts as a stimulant.It makes us feel more awake and alert. Sometimes, we can also feel nervous and jumpy, and feel our heart beating faster.
Yes..it is true, eating chocolate before bed can affect our sleep!

Answer 5

Yes, it gives you pleasant dreams. It should be consumed in the morning too - just to start the day off on a good note. I"m not talking about chowing down on a snickers bar - but savoring a nice little square of good, dark chocolate will do just fine.

Answer 6

I'm a chocoholic and I sleep just fine after eating it before bed. Some people my be more sensitive to the caffine/sugar and may get a rush of energy.

Answer 7

Eating anything before bed affects your sleeping.... You're body is active while digesting=not at rest, so yes

Answer 8

Chocolate has caffeine in it so that might affect your sleep. But on the other hand, some people get calmed and soothed eating chocolate so maybe it helps them destress into sleep.

Answer 9

eating anything right before bed will affect your sleep. you body should be re-energizing rather than digesting all the foods, you shouldnt eat anything at least 3 hours before your bedtime.

Answer 10

I've never heard that one before, but sounds like a neat idea. I think I'll try it. But I have heard that you get nightmares if you eat dinner too late or before going to bed.