Nocturnal blood sugar imbalances can be the cause of significant sleep disruptions if poorly managed.
That's why it's imperative to choose the right bedtime snacks; the foods we eat before bed play a crucial role in maintaining stable glucose levels while we sleep.
Dual board-certified physician Dr Randall Turner told GB News that the three ideal bedtime snacks combine three essential components; protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
The expert shared: “The best bedtime foods to help stabilise blood sugar overnight contain protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
Low blood sugar can trigger a range of disruptive symptoms overnight
GETTY
“These nutrients digest slowly, providing a steady release of energy and preventing blood sugar spikes or crashes while sleeping."
Dr Turner proposed specific snack combinations to maintain stable blood sugar overnight.
“A few good options include a handful of nuts with cheese, a slice of whole grain toast with peanut butter or a small serving of Greek yoghurt with chia seeds," he shared.
“Eating a hard-boiled egg with avocado or a bowl of cottage cheese with berries can also help maintain stable glucose levels."
On the other hand, ingredients likely to trigger blood sugar spikes and disrupted sleep should be avoided at all costs.
“It is very important to avoid sugar snacks or refined carbohydrates before bed since they can cause an initial spike in blood sugar followed by a rapid drop, which may lead to night-time awakenings," said Dr Turner.
“Choosing the right bedtime snack can significantly affect blood sugar stability and improve sleep quality.”
Although blood sugar levels can significantly compromise the quality of sleep, they do so through different mechanisms.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The expert recommends combining yoghurt and chia seeds
GETTY
When blood sugar levels are too low, for example, the body releases stress hormones that make sleep difficult to maintain.
This hypoglycaemic state triggers disruptive symptoms like sweating, shakiness, anxiety and a rapid heartbeat.
High blood sugar, on the other hand, presents a completely different set of sleep challenges, like frequent urination and increased thirst.
Individuals suffering from hyperglycaemia may also experience headaches and restlessness, making it difficult to achieve quality sleep.
Naturally, these symptoms lead many people to wake up several times throughout the night.
You may like
