It is agreed that food makes a person healthy. Eating the right foods at the right time is essential to the health. Studies show that some foods contribute to some illnesses.
As the saying goes, you eat like a king in the morning, you eat like a prince in the afternoon and you eat like a common man in the night. This will promote better and balanced health.
While there is no specific time to eat at night, medical experts suggest that dinner should be taken within 2-3 hours before bedtime, which is most likely 8-9p.m. Still, many people compromise this, especially in a society where that’s the period they return home from work.
Remember, health is wealth.
Below are the foods to avoid at night:
- Junk
Junk foods such as pastries, snacks, and fries should be avoided at night. Such foods contain lots of sugar and fats which can cause bloating and slow digestion. They also weigh heavily on the stomach because of the oil content.
- Heavy meals
Heavy meals such as Nigerian traditional dishes (swallow) are commonly consumed foods at night. Starchy foods, especially served in large quantities, and heavy foods like eba should be avoided at night. It is high in calories and can cause discomfort while sleeping. Studies show this as one of the causes of abdominal weight gain, e.g. potbelly.
- Carbonated drinks
Carbonated drinks like sodas and minerals are highly carbonated. If consumed at night, they can lead to bloating, discomfort during sleep as a result of the large amount of sugar.
- Caffeine
Caffeinated drinks such as coffee and energy drinks are commonly consumed by students. It helps to stimulate the brain and keeps you awake into the night. Although it boosts energy, it can still cause sleeplessness. This should be avoided at night as it can later lead to insomnia, which will further affect the concentration and productivity the next day.
Red meats such as beef and pork contain large amounts of protein. It is harder to digest, compared to fish. If eaten at night in heavy portions, red meat might cause slow digestion, restlessness and increase the risk of acid reflux.
Common in many Nigerian dishes, foods that contain a lot of pepper and spices should be limited. It irritates the stomach lining and can cause stomach upset during sleep. This can lead to heartburn and worsening acid reflux.
- Alcohol
Alcohol contains ethanol, which acts as a depressant on the nervous system. While it may make you feel relaxed or sleepy at first, it actually disrupts deep sleep, dehydrates the body, and increases night-time urination.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
