Ever wake up from a bizarre dream about a giant pizza chasing you down? Your midnight snack might be to blame! Yes, your lifestyle and food choices can be the culprit behind those nightmares you’re having lately. If you want to have a good night’s sleep, then maybe avoid these 10 foods that might give you nightmares
10. Pizza
Everyone’s favorite midnight snack and comfort food is a nightmare fuel in disguise. This “comfort slice” causes blood sugar spikes from the crust’s refined carbs. The toppings, on the other hand, add nitrates and sodium, while the cheese contributes tyramine. Overall, the high fat content slows digestion, making your body work overtime when you consume pizza close to bedtime.
9. Burgers
Your late-night drive-thru run might satisfy your midnight cravings, but it won’t do you any good at sleep. Burgers, especially those bought in fast food, are midnight triggers as they combine processed meat patties with preservatives and refined carbs. Trans fat is also known to be difficult to digest. Artificial additives may affect neurotransmitter production, which triggers disturbing dreams.
8. Coffee
It’s a known fact that coffee keeps you up at night, but did you know it can also influence your dreams even hours earlier? Remember, caffeine has a 5-6 hour life in your system. Caffeine can increase brain wave activity during REM phases, leading to vivid dreams.
7. Citrus Fruits
Surprisingly, something as healthy as citrus fruits could mess with your sleep. Citrus fruits are highly acidic, which could cause heartburn or acid reflux when lying down. They’re also high in vitamin C, which is known to be a mild stimulant that increases alertness. Meanwhile, the natural sugars cause blood glucose fluctuations through the night that can trigger vivid dreams and night sweats.
6. Nuts
Another healthy snack that is bad enough to give you nightmares is nuts. Almonds, walnuts, and cashews are found to be high in protein and fat, which requires enough energy to process. Nuts also contain natural compounds that can stimulate brain activity. Eating nuts right before bed will keep your digestive system awake and cause blood fluctuations that may interrupt sleep.
5. Ice Cream
That midnight session with a tub of Ben & Jerry’s might hit different, but you might want to put it off, as it might be a culprit in your nightmares. The combination of sugar and fat causes blood sugar spikes that can crash your brain in sleep phases. Since ice cream is cold, it could lower your core body temperature, which can cause it to spike back. Dairy could also cause mucus production that affects your breathing as you sleep.
4. Dark Chocolate
While dark chocolate can be a healthy dessert alternative, you should avoid it during hours close to bedtime. Why? It contains caffeine and theobromine, which are stimulants that could keep the mind racing at night. The higher the cocoa percentage, the more likely you’ll experience nightmares. Basically, eating them before bedtime increases brain wave activity that’ll lead to intense nightmares.
3. Aged Cheese
It looks like you need to put off those fancy charcuterie boards for dinner. Aged cheeses such as blue cheese, cheddar, and camembert contain high levels of tyramine. It’s a kind of amino acid that can trigger your dreams. The older and smellier the cheese, the weirder your dreams get.
2. Pasta
That massive bowl of pasta for dinner looks scrumptious, but it’s actually a nightmare fuel once eaten a few hours before bed. Pasta is a heavy carbohydrate that causes blood fluctuations to disrupt sleep patterns. Also, your body may need to work a few hours to digest.
1. Spicy Food
Your hot wings for dinner come with a price. Spicy food raises your body temperature, which may disrupt your sleep cycle. Capsaicin is a compound found in peppers that makes them hot. However, it causes indigestion that keeps your brain active when it should be resting. Also, lying down with heartburn causes “weirder” dreams.