Diet and sleep
What you eat in the evening changes your night.
What you eat, and when, plays into your night. A few simple pointers around meals.
Dinner
- Go for a light dinner, at least two hours before bed. A heavy or fatty meal tends to fragment sleep.
- Some foods like dairy, starches and pulses provide tryptophan, which helps make serotonin, a precursor of melatonin.
Evening drinks
- In the evening, ease off on drinks to limit waking up to use the bathroom. Better to hydrate well earlier in the day.
- In the evening, avoid coffee, tea and alcohol: they get in the way of falling asleep and unsettle the night.
Frequently asked questions
What should you eat in the evening for good sleep?
Go for a light dinner, at least two hours before bed. Dairy, starches and legumes provide tryptophan, which helps make serotonin, a precursor of melatonin.
Does a heavy evening meal disturb sleep?
Yes, a heavy or fatty meal tends to fragment sleep. Better to eat light and leave a little time before going to bed.
Which drinks should you avoid in the evening?
In the evening avoid coffee, tea and alcohol, which hinder falling asleep and weaken the night. Cut back on drinks too, to limit bathroom wake-ups, and hydrate earlier in the day instead.