Why You Should Avoid Going To Bed On An Empty Stomach
There are a few reasons why you may feel the need to hit the hay on an empty stomach. On one hand, you may have trouble fitting the food you need into your busy schedule. On the other hand, you may think that going to bed on an empty stomach may have health benefits. This may be the case in some limited situations.
The Healthy notes that going to bed hungry may make you more enthusiastic for a filling breakfast in the morning, which is good news as long as the amount of food you eat isn't excessive. Research also suggests that eating late at night can cause weight gain, but it's not "all or nothing." Just because eating late at night or going to bed with a full stomach isn't good for your health, that doesn't mean it's healthy to go to bed with a totally empty stomach, either. As with many things, the middle road is typically the healthiest.
Why and how to avoid going to bed hungry
Some people believe that going to bed hungry will help you sleep well or lose weight, but it may actually do the opposite. Dietitian Wesley Delbridge, spokesperson for the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics, tells The Healthy that being hungry when you go to bed can interfere with the sleep you're getting. He also says that being hungry for an extended period of time can cause your blood sugar levels to drop, making you want to binge in the morning, which could interfere with your metabolism for the rest of the day. This could potentially lead to weight gain.
Ideally, you should have a well-balanced diet packed with fiber and protein, with your final meal at least a few hours before bed, according to Healthline. If you are too hungry to sleep when you do go to bed, you may want to consider eating foods containing tryptophan (such as turkey and fish), which may promote sleep by activating serotonin. You could also try some whole grains.
On the other hand, if you're going to bed hungry because you don't have access to food, Healthline recommends looking into local food banks, signing up for supplemental nutrition assistance programs, or applying for unemployment benefits if you're eligible.