Pizza. One of the classic mid-night craving foods is out of the list now! Eating pizza before bed is not the best option, no matter how tasty it is. Cheese is rich in fat, and tomato sauce is acidic, making this popular late-night dish the wrong thing to eat before bed.
"High-acid foods can trigger acid reflux, especially when eaten close to bedtime. Even if you don't feel 'heartburn,' this reflux can cause you to awaken partially from sleep and leave you tired the next day."
Eating is a bedtime ritual that can affect our sleep. Wait at least three hours from putting down the dinner plate to climbing into bed, he says. “A heavy meal in the evening will make more work for your gastrointestinal tract.” “A heavy meal in the evening will make more work for your gastrointestinal tract,” Dr.
7. Pizza. This go-to snack is tremendously popular late-night fare, as shown by the late hours kept by most pizzerias. It also contains a significant amount of acid (in the tomato sauce) and fat (in the cheese) that can not only keep you from securing your beauty sleep, but leave you feeling drained the next day, too.
To hasten digestion, reduce fat storage, and avoid heartburn after eating too much, go for a walk or sip 4 to 8 oz. of water — but don't overdo it. A psychological trick that may make you feel better is to plan your next meal — when it will be, and what foods it will include.
If you have two slices, it's not going to derail your progress, but swapping out one slice for a salad or other veggies could help stay satisfied longer — and save you extra fat and calories.
One study found that consumption of pineapple, oranges, and bananas. View Source increased melatonin production about two hours later. Kiwis have also been shown to have some sleep-inducing properties. In one study, adults with self-reported sleep problems were instructed to eat two kiwis an hour before bedtime.
Pizza's high acid and high fat can interrupt our sleep
Palinkski-Wade said, "High-acid foods can trigger acid reflux, especially when eaten close to bedtime.
Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a hormone that stimulates the digestion of fat and is released when we eat high-fat meals. Scientists suspect that this hormone can contribute to post-meal sleepiness, explaining why we can feel sleepy even after a lower-carb, higher-fat meal.
Although a full meal is not recommended near bedtime, a light snack may curb hunger in the evening. However, some foods can trigger heartburn and other discomfort, while other foods and beverages may make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep.
So when exactly should you stop eating at night? Scientists can't agree on a single set time, but the consensus seems to be within three hours before bedtime. So if you go to bed at 11 p.m., don't eat after 8 p.m.
Kenji's new children's book, Every Night is Pizza Night is on sale now, is available for purchase wherever books are sold. It is illustrated by Gianna Ruggiero, and aimed at children aged three to seven.
And then in Mediterranean countries like Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, dinners are a party reserved for much later. Typically, these hot weather countries have a long afternoon siesta (nap) and people commune for dinner later in the night, starting at 10pm or even later.
Most likely if you're hungry, need stress relief, want to socialize, or have some other associations. However, craving pizza can be a sign that you're pregnant, sick, or just about to get your period. Craving pizza when sick is also common, as the food can provide comfort and help the body heal.
Late night eating can cause heartburn or acid reflux, especially if you lie down after or choose spicy, fatty or fried items. If you eat sugar or carbs late at night, you won't have the chance to burn it off and your body will store those calories as fat.
If you need to snack at night (or want to sip on something before bed), try to choose something healthy. A great nighttime snack is cottage cheese or turkey (both high-protein) protein) and loaded with the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is well known to make you sleepy–think about it after Thanksgiving dinner.
“When we are tired, hormones called ghrelin and leptin can be triggered, which can cause spikes in hunger and food cravings,” Castillo says.
If you love pizza and balance a slice weekly with vegetables like a salad, it can certainly be a part of a healthy diet. However, if you start eating three or four slices (or more!) on a regular basis that is where your diet can have health consequences.
The bottom line is: If you live a mostly healthy lifestyle, one slice of pizza won't change that, and you'll only gain the weight of the pizza you consumed. However, if you have health issues — including heart disease, or high blood pressure — it's obviously best not to overindulge.