13 Strange Things You Didn’t Know Were Wrecking Your Sleep

You eat chocolate at night

I love a square or two of dark chocolate as a treat. But I avoid eating chocolate before bed, and I suggest my patients do the same. Chocolate has several health benefits but it’s not a sleep-promoter. Chocolate is an often-overlooked source of caffeine. The greater the cocoa content, the higher the caffeine level in chocolate. If you’re making the healthier choice by opting for dark chocolate, and having it as a before-bed snack, you’re getting an extra, unwelcome jolt of caffeine when you least need it. Plan to get your chocolate fix earlier in the day, and try more sleep-friendly nighttime snacks like banana, or toast, with nut butter, or a small bowl of whole-grain, low-sugar cereal. Don’t miss these secrets to better sleep that doctors want you to know.

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