Even if dairy doesn't bother you, ice cream isn't the best choice for a late-night bite. It's heavy, fatty, and may sit in your tummy like a brick, keeping you up. Replace with: Low-fat yogurt.
A bowl full of ice-cream can be tempting but the sugar present in it may hamper your sleep later. It has a lot of fat and even low-fat ice-creams can be high in sugar that can take time to digest. So your body is not able to rest well while it is still digesting foods.
A study from Kyorin University in Tokyo, found that eating ice cream in the morning may improve alertness and mental performance. Professor Yoshihiko Koga and his team analyzed the results of multiple clinical trials that measured brain activity after eating various foods in the morning.
Ice cream is made of milk, which contains L-triptophane, which is a natural tranquilizer and helps in relaxing the nervous system. It also helps prevent symptoms of insomnia.”
The bottom line on ice cream before bed
As Topol suggests, stop eating at least a couple of hours before bed to prevent all that sugar and dairy from ruining your sleep. There's also Nightfood, an ice cream low in sugar and fat and made with ingredients that promote sleep, including magnesium, calcium, and zinc.
According to Buchanan, protein “is the most immediately satiating macronutrient.” That's why nuts, hummus, and yogurt are all such excellent late-night snacks. Since melatonin is a sleep-enhancing hormone, foods rich in it such as pistachios, bananas, and grapes also serve as excellent bedtime treats.
Even if dairy doesn't bother you, ice cream isn't the best choice for a late-night bite. It's heavy, fatty, and may sit in your tummy like a brick, keeping you up. Replace with: Low-fat yogurt.
Ice cream contains protein and fat, both of which our bodies need to help level our moods. On top of that, the amino acids you take in when eating ice cream, such as tryptophan, are known to increase serotonin production. That leaves us feeling calm, satisfied, and well, happy!
There's nothing wrong with eating ice cream for breakfast! No one food is "right" or "wrong" when it comes to meals, but you may find that some help you start off your day feeling more energized than others.
Study Shows Eating Dessert First Leads to Healthier Choices.
“The studies suggest that eating out of our normal rhythm, like late at night, may prompt weight gain” and higher levels of blood sugar, which can raise the risk of chronic disease, Allison says.
Tryptophan triggers the brain's sleep process: Tryptophan is an amino acid known to promote sleep. View Source within the brain. Turkey contains high levels of tryptophan, so it is famously blamed for sleepiness after Thanksgiving dinner. Other foods with tryptophan include milk, bananas, oats, and chocolate.
stress and anxiety. a poor sleeping environment – such as an uncomfortable bed, or a bedroom that's too light, noisy, hot or cold. lifestyle factors – such as jet lag, shift work, or drinking alcohol or caffeine before going to bed. mental health conditions – such as depression and schizophrenia.
How Long Before Bed Should You Stop Eating? While estimates vary, most experts recommend eating a meal two to four hours before bedtime. People who eat meals well ahead of bedtime have enough time to properly digest their food.
High-fat dairy products like ice cream contain tryptophan, the same nutrient that makes us need to take a nap after eating Thanksgiving turkey, according to registered dietitian Jamie Hickey (per MyFitnessPal blog). We crave tryptophan-rich foods when we're low on sleep.
Include protein with every meal.
Eating protein with every meal will stop the hunger from reappearing in-between meals, which should stop you from suddenly feelings like you need an ice cream cone to get you by till dinner or as a late night snack.
“If you are hungry, you should eat something, regardless of the time of day,” says Aimee Takamura, registered dietitian and director of wellness and sustainability at Restaurant Associates. “The act of eating late at night does not affect metabolism or lead to many of the adverse effects you may have heard of.