Never eat steak before bed, ditch evening chocolate & seven other foods you should avoid for a good night’s sleep

STRUGGLING to sleep? Your dinner may be to blame.

Results of a new study in Norway found that just one caffeine-packed energy drink a month raised the risk of sleep problems in 18-35 year-olds.

The potent beverages are well known for giving you a buzz, but other night-time disturbers may come as a surprise.

Laura Stott checks out unexpected culprits that can prevent you counting sheep.

Hot sauce

CHILLI-based condiments usually contain hot spices such as capsicum – the posh name for potent peppers – which can raise our body temperature and irritate insides, potentially causing heartburn, acid reflux and indigestion.

This makes it more un- comfortable to lie down, leaving you tossing and turning at night.

Tomato soup

ALL tomatoes are extremely acidic, which can elevate PH levels, potentially trigger heartburn, infuriate your stomach lining and, if eaten too close to turning in, can badly disrupt your kip.

Watch out for dishes containing copious amounts, including sauces, salads or even a spag bol.

Chocolate

A FEW pieces of choccie might seem harmless, but caffeine levels in the treat can be high.

The greater the coca percentage, the more disruptive your bar will be. The 70 per cent options can contain 60mg of caffeine, similar to sipping a small Americano.

This will stay in your system for hours and leave you buzzing at bedtime.

Water

GLUGGING fluids before switching out the lights means a full bladder then inevitable waking to empty it.

Stop sipping two hours before bed to prevent overnight wee breaks.

Steak

OUR digestive systems slow down by up to 50 per cent overnight, so high-protein meats, especially fatty ones such as chops, burgers and ribs, will take an especially long time to digest.

And as your stomach works extra hard to do the job, you’ll struggle to drift off.

Sushi

FOODS made with fermented soy products, such as dipping sauce, miso soups, tofu and teriyaki-style marinades, contain high levels of the amino acid tyramine.

A natural stimulant that facilitates brain activity, it will keep you awake and alert at bedtime.

Smoothies

READY-made blended drinks can be far higher in sugar than plain juices, sometimes containing as much as four spoons.

This can cause your glucose levels to spike and then drop off rapidly, which means that while you might drop off quickly, you won’t sleep deeply and will probably face a restless night ahead.

Broccoli

THE green veg is best consumed in moderation before you nod off.

The stalks, along with other cruciferous veggies, such as cauliflower, cabbage, sprouts, kale and other brassicas, and even coleslaw, are packed with slow-to- digest fibre.

That’s great for gut health, but processing them can cause wind, which might keep you wide awake.

Sausages

PRESERVED meats such as pepperoni, ham, other cold cuts and even sausages can cause the same slumber disturbances.

All contain prominent levels of amino acids, which make us feel alert.

This can cause vivid dreams and restlessness overnight. High fat and sodium levels will also impact your Zzzs.