6 Foods That Keep You Up at Night
You know not to drink coffee after 4 p.m., but what about these other surprising stimulants?
By Corrie Pikul
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Sports-Bar Food
Research shows that high-fat indulgences such as french fries, potato chips and mozzarella sticks can not only throw off the scale, but they can also disrupt sleep cycles.
A better sleep snack: Edamame (boiled soybeans in the pod, served sprinkled with salt) is high in magnesium, which has been shown in some studies to improve the quality of sleep of insomnia patients.
A better sleep snack: Edamame (boiled soybeans in the pod, served sprinkled with salt) is high in magnesium, which has been shown in some studies to improve the quality of sleep of insomnia patients.
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Crudité
Raw broccoli, cauliflower and carrots will make you feel full quickly...but will still be moving uncomfortably through your digestive system long after you pull up the covers.
A better sleep snack: Bananas contain sleep-inducing tryptophan and magnesium as well as (bonus!) potassium...which can prevent a middle-of-the-night charley horse.
A better sleep snack: Bananas contain sleep-inducing tryptophan and magnesium as well as (bonus!) potassium...which can prevent a middle-of-the-night charley horse.
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Cured Meats
Bacon, pepperoni and sausage contain high levels of tyramine, an amino acid that boosts the secretion of the brain stimulant norepinephrine.
A better sleep snack: A turkey sandwich on whole wheat toast. Don't forget the bread: The complex carbs combined with the tryptophan in the turkey will stimulate the production of serotonin, which can make you feel drowsy.
A better sleep snack: A turkey sandwich on whole wheat toast. Don't forget the bread: The complex carbs combined with the tryptophan in the turkey will stimulate the production of serotonin, which can make you feel drowsy.
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Heart-Healthy Chocolate
You know chocolate has caffeine, but you may be surprised to hear that some of the darker bars can have as much as 80 milligrams—the amount in a can of Red Bull. As a general rule, the darker the chocolate, the stronger the stimulant.
A better sleep snack: Save the chocolate for breakfast (Really! Research shows it can help you maintain a healthy weight), and at night, snack on trail mix with walnuts, almonds and dried tart cherries. All three are good food sources of melatonin, a hormone that promotes a more restful sleep.
A better sleep snack: Save the chocolate for breakfast (Really! Research shows it can help you maintain a healthy weight), and at night, snack on trail mix with walnuts, almonds and dried tart cherries. All three are good food sources of melatonin, a hormone that promotes a more restful sleep.
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Slumber-Party Snacks
Some studies have suggested that gorging on ice cream and candy bars a half-hour before bed can cause nightmares.
A better sleep snack: Nonfat popcorn will take the edge off your hunger but won't make you feel stuffed...or scared.
A better sleep snack: Nonfat popcorn will take the edge off your hunger but won't make you feel stuffed...or scared.
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A Decaf Latte
A 2007 Consumer Reports study found that the amount of caffeine in "decaf" drinks sold at coffee shops varied from less than 5 milligrams to levels high enough to interfere with sleep. While a generic 8-ounce cup of decaf has 3 to 12 milligrams, a decaf from Dunkin' Donuts had 32 milligrams—as much as a 12-ounce bottle of Coke.
A better sleep snack: There's no conclusive proof that chamomile tea will put you to sleep, but it's been used for thousands of years as a natural calming remedy.
Next: What to eat for deep sleep
A better sleep snack: There's no conclusive proof that chamomile tea will put you to sleep, but it's been used for thousands of years as a natural calming remedy.
Next: What to eat for deep sleep
Published 11/01/2012