Does food before bed affect sleep quality?

soulrhythm · Post by **soulrhythm** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:42 pm

I have a terrible habit of having a "snack-meal" at about 9 or 10 oclock each night, and I am wondering if anyone has noticed how food before bed affects their sleep and/or numbers...

I remember my DME saying something about the effect eating within a couple hours of bed can have on sleep, but I have always done it. Last week my AHI numbers were down to 2.6 but they are up again the last few nights. I am wondering if what or when I eat last before bed makes a difference.

I am going to begin trying to not eat after 7:30 or 8pm and see what that does. May help me loose a few pounds at least, but in the mean time I wanted to see if there was any collective wisdom on the subject.

Also, now that I think about it, we had some Diet-Coke in the house these past few days...maybe caffeine was a part of it too...anyone else noticed how caffeine effect numbers?

JIM

Dgrendahl · Post by **Dgrendahl** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:59 pm

It is my opinion that it does. I have found repeatedly that if I eat within 3-4 hours of bedtime, I am more restless and wake up earlier. So, I have taken to eating around 3:30 p.m. That gives me around 5 hours for my food to digest. I then ALWAYS sleep better.

jimbassett · Post by **jimbassett** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 4:16 pm

My sleep Dr. told me that I should have 4 hrs after eating before going to bed. So we eat dinner at 5 and I go to bed at 9. This has been a great improvement in my ability to get to sleep and helped with swallowing air. Sleep hygiene is a wonderful science and very few really appreciate what it can do for restful sleep.

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 4:56 pm

I absolutely believe that eating can affect sleep. I think we all have guts that secrete neurochemicals, but I think some of us have more than others. Have you ever read the book "The Second Brain"? Its unbelieveable how invovlved the intestines are in making neurochemicals.
I have always felt that when your gut is awake, your brain is awake. I think not eating after dinner is a good thing to try. Maybe you'll find you like sleeping better more than having that evening snack......but I know its hard.

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:31 pm

I cant sleep if I DONT eat before bed. I lay there all night tossing and turning and getting stomach cramps. I think it depends on the person. My dr even recomended that I still have something before bed. He said it is all about what is right for the individual patient. You could always try going a few nights without the snack and see if it helps.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:12 pm

jennmary wrote:I cant sleep if I DONT eat before bed. I lay there all night tossing and turning and getting stomach cramps. I think it depends on the person. My dr even recomended that I still have something before bed. He said it is all about what is right for the individual patient. You could always try going a few nights without the snack and see if it helps.

Same with me, I realize that not eating may help gerd, but I don't sleep sound without food in the mixer. Jim

RiverDave · Post by **RiverDave** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:23 pm

If you snack before bed, make sure it is low fat. High fat foods take longer to digest and tend to cause the upper stomach valve (cardiac sphincter) to relax resulting in more reflux.

Sundown · Post by **Sundown** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:53 pm

I absolutely believe that eating can affect sleep. I think we all have guts that secrete neurochemicals, but I think some of us have more than others. Have you ever read the book "The Second Brain"? Its unbelieveable how invovlved the intestines are in making neurochemicals.

I would love to read that book! I'll go to Books A Million and check it out.

I used to eat a snack every night at 10:30. Half of turkey sandwich... or some cheese and crackers. I now have trained myself not to eat anything after dinner and I sleep much better. If I get hungry I drink a small glass of soy milk. I know that my body still probably produces insulin drinking that. Also, if I eat a lot of carbs, my restless legs go nuts.

On the other hand, my husband eats really late at night and it makes him sleepy. In fact, he normally goes into a food coma after dinner and sleeps. I am the opposite... I have to get up and move and clean the kitchen after dinner... it drives me nuts to be full and just sit down.

I sometimes drink Sleepytime tea with a drop of honey when I am really really hungry... but to be honest.. I broke all the rules last night and popped three chocolate covered macadamia nuts in my mouth before bedtime... lol!!!!

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Does food before bed affect sleep quality?

Does food before bed affect sleep quality?

Eating/snacking before bedtime