I’m a nutrition expert – here are 5 foods you should avoid eating before bed if you want to get a good night’s sleep

If you find yourself constantly hitting the snooze button because you’re desperate for some more chicken, experts have suggested you might want to take a look at your diet.

British nutritionist Cheryl Lythgoe Benenden Health has revealed the worst foods to consume at night if you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep.

But it’s not always easy to disobey those nighttime hunger pangs, especially after a long day of work. That’s why the experts recommend avoiding “stimulants” like sugar in foods like chocolate or ice cream right before you hit the sack.

Cheryl told me Huffington Post: ‘Going to bed on an empty stomach lowers blood sugar levels and hinders the body’s ability to sleep well.

‘But avoid stimulants such as sugar or caffeine, which will keep you awake at night.’

Here, FEMAIL reveals the five foods that the expert says can make it very difficult to fall asleep at night.

1. Chips

It’s no fun sitting down to binge-watch your favorite TV show before bed without a snack or two at the ready.

And while chips are often the snack of choice, experts warn they can cause nightmares.

Chips are packed with salt, which can make you hungrier and lead to overeating.

It’s hard to fall asleep when you’re searching the kitchen for another tasty packet of chips.

Overconsumption of salt also causes the body to dehydrate, which increases water retention and creates a very uncomfortable sleep.

2. Curry

There’s nothing like a delicious homemade or takeaway curry in the evening to soothe that burning stomach.

However, you may want to save your vindaloo for a lunchtime treat, as it can cause a whole host of problems for you in the evening.

Curries are wonderfully flavorful and usually use a range of spices and peppers.

However, spicy foods contain high levels of capsaicin – an active chemical in chili peppers that makes your mouth feel warm.

While spicy food is a treat on the lips, it is especially troublesome at night as it increases body temperature, making it significantly difficult to maintain a long night’s sleep.

3. Chocolate

You can easily skip this one, because let’s face it: who doesn’t want to scoff at a tasty chocolate bar before going to bed?

However, many chocolates are packed with caffeine, a stimulant found in drinks like coffee and tea, which helps keep you wide awake.

According to Live strong: ‘Chocolate contains a trifecta of substances – caffeine, theobromine and sugar – that create a perfect storm to sabotage sleep.

“Chocolate is a solid source of caffeine, and like jogging in the morning, it can give you a boost of energy that you won’t need in the evening when you’re trying to relax.”

4. Cheese

This comfort snack is considered one of the worst to consume before bed because it contains high amounts of the amino acid tyramine, which makes you feel alert.

Consuming strong cheeses like cheddar and parmesan right before bed can increase your heart rate, which poses quite a challenge for a decent nap.

The experts also explain that tyramine causes the adrenal glands to release the ‘fight or flight’ hormone, which increases alertness for several hours.

The acid is also found in sandwich meats such as bacon, ham and pepperoni, so it’s best to avoid them in the evening.

5. Ice cream

Rain or shine, ice cream is a sweet treat that anyone can enjoy at almost any time of the day.

However, it’s best to limit this tasty snack to daytime if you’re experiencing bad chicken.

Cheryl said: ‘Sugar-rich foods, such as ice cream and sweets, initially cause blood sugar levels to rise, but then drop while you sleep.

‘A drop in blood sugar alerts the adrenal glands that there is an emergency, which in turn increases cortisol levels and wakes the body from sleep.’