A sleep doctor has revealed why binging on ham, cheese boards and red wine on Christmas Day is damaging to your health.
Dr. Katherine Hall is a sleep psychologist who specializes in treating insomnia, and she recently shared that popular holiday foods cause restless nights.
The professional recommended regularly avoiding salty, sour or spicy food, especially in the evening.
Dr. Hall also told FEMAIL that most chocolate should also be avoided to promote good sleep quality.
As Australians prepare for the festive season, many have already shared several culprits that 'ruined Christmas' – and the new list of restrictions is no different.
A doctor has revealed why tucking into ham, cheese boards and red wine on Christmas Day is damaging to your health
Salty food
Dr. Hall shared that salty foods may be the cause of your sleep problems, as high-sodium meals result in fluid retention and an increase in blood pressure, making it difficult for the body to switch off after eating snacks like chips or salted nuts.
'Smoked hams such as gammon and bacon are full of salt, so avoid the Christmas ham in the evening buffets if you're looking for a good night's sleep,' she said.
Acidic foods
The sleep expert also claimed that Tyramine, an amino acid that stimulates natural brain activity, should be avoided at night at all costs.
Foods high in the acid include tomatoes, eggplant, soy sauce, red wine and cheese – all popular festive dishes.
Drinking too much wine and cheese can trigger your brain's “fight or flight” response, increasing your anxiety levels for the rest of the night.
Dr. Katherine Hall is a sleep psychologist who specializes in treating insomnia, and she recently shared that popular holiday foods cause restless nights.
Spicy food
'Fortunately, Christmas food is not usually fueled by spices,' said Dr Hall.
She revealed that capsaicin, the chemical in spicy food, causes heartburn and poor digestion, and quickly increases body temperature.
'So when you combine this with the energy your body needs to digest the rest of the meal, you can really struggle to sleep well.'