8 foods you should never eat for dinner

Fried dishes

Nutritionist Roxanne Ehsani said that such delicious fried foods as fried chicken and fish, French fries, and onion rings are not the best choice for dinner.

These foods are high in saturated fat, so they take longer to digest. This can lead to heartburn, indigestion, and general discomfort when lying down, which can lead to sleep disturbances.

In turn, it's best to save these options for special occasions or prepare healthier versions using an air fryer or a high-heat oven.

Appetizers

Sometimes after a long day, you may be tempted to snack on snacks like chips or popcorn. However, you probably won't feel full or satiated after eating them for dinner because they lack satisfying nutrients such as fiber, healthy fat, and protein.

These foods are also high in salt, which can lead to water retention and make you wake up feeling bloated the next morning. Their salt content can also contribute to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems if consumed in large quantities over a long period of time.

Drinks containing caffeine

Anything that contains caffeine, such as black or green tea, coffee, or soda, can interfere with your ability to fall asleep and keep you from getting a good night's rest.

Caffeinated foods such as chocolate or desserts made with ingredients such as matcha can have the same effect.

A general rule of thumb is to stop drinking caffeine after 12 pm to get a good night's sleep. Instead, drink decaffeinated water or tea before dinner.

Salty foods

Blood pressure can rise if you eat a lot of deli meats (such as salami, ham, turkey, or sausage) during lunch.

Other salty options, such as breaded foods and sushi, can also potentially disrupt REM sleep. This is because they promote water retention, which can disrupt sleep and can also lead to multiple trips to the bathroom throughout the night.

Spicy foods

Spicy foods can cause heartburn. This irritating condition can often lead to poor sleep quality. Foods flavored with chili peppers or other spicy seasonings can cause indigestion, which can be especially frustrating when you're trying to sleep.

Capsaicin (a compound in spicy foods) can also raise your body temperature, which can interfere with your ability to sleep. However, this effect is not widespread - usually only those who are sensitive to capsaicin-rich foods experience it.

Sweets

Whether you eat sweets during lunch or afterward, it's best to eat them slowly.

A large piece of cake or several cookies contains more than 50 grams of carbohydrates from sugar and refined carbohydrates, which can lead to high blood sugar and affect your body's ability to sleep.

In addition, excess sugar can also contribute to weight gain and other metabolic problems over time. It's better to eat dried fruits instead.

Acidic foods

Similar to spicy foods, acidic foods can cause heartburn or acid reflux in some people, again affecting sleep. Particularly acidic foods include tomatoes, citrus fruits, vinegar, some fruits such as pineapple, and soft drinks.

Eating these foods too late in the evening, such as one to two hours before bed, can cause discomfort and disrupt your ability to sleep soundly. Avoid eating two to three hours before bedtime for optimal digestion and rest.

Replace acidic ones with broccoli, cucumbers, lentils, and sweet potatoes.

Alcohol

Although alcohol is often consumed in the evening, it is not the best choice. Such a drink can negatively affect your sleep, and long-term excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and other health problems.

If you're not ready to give up enjoying a drink with lunch, try limiting your consumption to a couple of times a week or on weekends only.

We also wrote about 6 foods you should avoid eating after 65.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.