1. Overeating Close to Bedtime
You’ve probably heard that eating close to bedtime is tantamount to self-sabotage. Well, the negative side effects are only exacerbated when the scenario is scaled from having a late dinner to eating until you’re absolutely stuffed right before bedtime. The truth is, if digestion occurs while you’re lying down, it makes it easier for stomach acid to travel back up the digestive tract—triggering a burning sensation and an onslaught of acid reflux symptoms, such as nausea, random gagging, vomiting, bloating and gas.
So, make sure you time your last meal so that you allow 2–3 hours for digestion before it’s “lights out” for the day.
2. Food Intolerances
If you have a food intolerance, such as one that makes you think twice before digging into that pint of Cherry Garcia, then you know the pain that follows when you do decide to throw caution to the wind—and end up breaking wind.
Ingesting foods that our bodies cannot properly digest or process can lead to sleepless nights. To sidestep nighttime IBS, remember to take a Lactaid tablet before digging into that leftover pizza or, quite simply, avoid those triggering foods before bedtime. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.
3. Food Allergies
By the same token, food allergies, if not averted, can be a culprit for sleeplessness. Different from food intolerances, food allergies present immediately and can lead to alarming symptoms if chronically ignored. While digestion of trigger foods can similarly lead to cramps and abdominal pain, to curb the negative effects food allergies may have on your sleep, more deliberate precaution is advised.
If you suspect food allergies are to blame, be sure to practice healthy habits like going to the gym, drinking plenty of water and opting for home-cooked meals. In addition, if you have a sneaking suspicion of having an unidentified allergy, we recommend visiting a physician for an allergy screening—you’d be surprised how often allergies roam unnoticed.
4. A Highy Acidic Diet
Coffee addicts: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like our daily morning fix may be to blame for our digestive issues. Caffeine and other acidic constituents of our daily diet, like citrus fruits, hot sauces, alcohol and (gasp!) milk chocolate, aggravate acid reflux symptoms and, in turn, can rob us of a peaceful night’s sleep.
For sweet relief, reach for more fresh foods, like mild greens, including lettuce and celery, that won’t cause gas, low-acid melon fruits, such as watermelon and honeydew, and dried ginger to treat nausea and muscle pain.
5. A High-Fat Diet
Sadly, crispy fried chicken is also on the “proceed with caution” list as far as your digestive health is concerned. In addition to triggering heartburn, greasy fatty foods are harder to digest, increasing your risk of obesity—and thereby, your chances of experiencing uncomfortable acid reflux.
With that being said, a high-fat diet doesn’t have to be all gloom and doom: there are actually healthy fats you can ingest that can also tame your stomach issues! Smear some avocado on multigrain toast for your morning breakfast and snack on a handful of walnuts to hold you over ’til lunchtime. By nightfall, you and your happy stomach will be ready to hit the hay.
It is worth noting that if your stomach issues persist, and you find that you’re experiencing worrisome, specific symptoms—including ongoing vomiting and unexplained weight loss—that you should visit a physician to seek a professional opinion.
To aid your endeavor for better sleep, come visit our store today, and check out our mattress selection!