5 Foods to Avoid for a Restful Night's Sleep

If we want to guarantee ourselves a good night's sleep without waking up multiple times or suffering from insomnia, the food we eat a few hours before bed is a crucial factor to consider.

There are certain foods (and drinks) that are best avoided near bedtime. Here are five of them:

Skip the Heavy Meat Dinners

Meat digests very slowly, especially cured meats, sausages, and other fatty meats. Because its digestion process is lengthy, eating meat before bed can lead to uncomfortable feelings in the body and make it harder to fall asleep. It's better to avoid it or eat it sparingly.

Salad Enthusiasts, Take Note

Although everyone tells you salads are great, you should know that according to many nutritionists, including clinical nutritionist Tami Adi from Clalit Health Services, "A large vegetable salad that contains a lot of leafy and fibrous vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, and Swiss chard, or combined with whole grains, can bloat our stomach," and cause discomfort, especially before sleep.

Pasta Is a No-Go

As tough as it might be to forgo, pasta is off the dinner menu, especially when it includes creamy and fatty cheeses that take ages to digest in the stomach, potentially creating a sense of heaviness and discomfort.

Beware of the Gas Makers

Legumes, radish salad, cabbage, broccoli, beans, cauliflower, and more should be avoided at night as they can cause bloating and strong gas, disrupting a continuous, quality sleep.

Last but Not Least - Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant, and if you consume a cup of coffee with a chocolate cookie before bed, know that your chances of sleeping well diminish. What's the cookie connection? The cocoa, of course, which is also considered especially stimulating.