People always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. When you start your morning right with a healthy plate, you are giving your body the essential vitamins and nutrients it needs to function. On top of that, eating breakfast gives you energy, boosts your brainpower, and even puts you in a good mood.
While all these statements hold true, it’s also crucial to understand that what you eat for dinner is just as significant. The food you consume at night matters greatly because it can affect how your body reacts and feels when you wake up the next morning. Take for example, bloating. This is a pretty common issue for people and if you find yourself in the same situation, you should know that one way to relieve it is through a proper diet.
So with that in mind, what exactly are the foods you should avoid at night to keep yourself from feeling bloated the next day? We reached out to Dr. Amy Lee, Nucific partner and board certified doctor in internal medicine, medical nutrition, and obesity medicine to find out. Keep reading to learn more.
Simple Carbohydrates and Processed Carbohydrates
If you're thinking of going all out for dinner, you might want to be more mindful when it comes to choosing your meals—especially if you don't want to feel super bloated the following morning. Simple carbs, processed carbs, and foods with lots of sugar are definitely things you'd want to avoid. Some examples of these include white bread, soda, ice cream, crackers, and cookies.
According to Dr. Lee, "Most of these items are likely made of white processed flour which contains gluten. Once in the body, [they] can break down [into] glucose." She adds, "It is not just salt and preservatives that cause retention of water and what we feel as 'bloat,' but [it's also through the] glucose that is broken down by the carbs and sugars we eat."
Dr. Lee explains, "This bloat can be noticed around our fingers [and eyes]. What happens is [when] you digest a large amount of carbs in your stomach, your small bowels will absorb this nutrient. If not utilized, [the nutrient] will then be carried to the liver and circulate through your body. [Oftentimes, the nutrient] can also cause water to follow and can end up in tissue."
In conclusion, if you struggle with morning bloating and you want to figure out ways to address this, one solution is to stay away from large amounts of simple and processed carbs for dinner, or even right before bed. "What you should focus on when it comes to eating is [getting] your fiber from forms of fruits and vegetables," Dr. Lee advises. "The fiber helps with optimizing gut health by drawing out toxins and of course, helps you go to the bathroom in the morning." She concludes, "Make sure you drink plenty of water thoughout the day for the fiber to work effectively."
