Plus, those carbs work just like eating sugar to keep you up when youre trying to wind down. That extra food means that your body is going to boost its metabolism and temperature which leads to more brain activity during REM sleep. Other disorders. Even though alcohol is a sedative, the effects wear off during the night. The students were also asked to record dietary habits and patterns. It makes us snap at our favourite barista, more likely to forget our keys while rushing out the door and generally fuzzy once we arrive at the office. Hot sauce (Photo Credit: Getty Images) Its so easy to lose precious sleep during the best of times. In a 2015 study, 17.8% of participants self-reported having bad or weird dreams caused by what they ate or caused by eating too late at night. Get the best food tips and diet Almost 18 percent of the participants indicated that they thought eating certain foods (or eating right before bed) made a difference in the development of disturbing dreams, with dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream as well as pizza being the most commonly listed (39 to 44 percent). None of the study volunteers reported nightmares from their bedtime snack. But if youre having trouble sleeping, these foods might be the culprits. Join the UHN newsletter to receive FREE health news and information to your inbox! document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { Another study shows that survivors of serious car and motorcycle accidents also were having nightmares months later. The latter condition, more common in children, is characterized by screaming, thrashing, and panic. Eating before bedtime. Pastries tend to be shock full of sugar, which will give you an energy boost right before bed even worse are cakes and cookies with chocolate in them, since caffeine is likely present and can prevent you from getting deep sleep. That often leaves people wondering whether they should or shouldnt eat before bed. (Image: istock). Since early 2019, heRead More. It found that pasta reduced sleep quality and bread . Then, all thats left to do is sleep like a baby. Also the brand of MSG does make a difference. It also increases your likelihood of sleepwalking or performing other actions while asleep. But its the grease that gets your here. Why foreign journalists are feeling the heat covering todays India, Eight mistakes retail investors must not make, How murders, law and landlords make living-in difficult. Researchers found that 31 percent of participants reported bizarre and disturbing dreams after eating cookies and cake. When alcohol is in your system, it can cause vivid dreams and nightmares to become more intense, realistic and scary. Alcohol makes you sleep badly and gives you nightmares. According to Nielsen's study, 18.8 percent of food-sensitive dreamers associated spicy food with nightmares. Do bananas give you nightmares? Eating before bed can cause the bodys metabolism to shift gears. So, while some foods may link to vivid or scary dreams, frequent nightmares could also be the result of an underlying sleep disorder like, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome or insomnia, according to researchers at Washington University, Sleep Medicine Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. You can safely checkout with Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Paypal, Afterpay or Sezzle. When it comes to sugar, this does raise the blood sugar of the body, which can have an effect on a person's sleep. . examined the sleep quality of 1,848 men and women aged 20 and 60 years after they ate certain carbs. Discover the unexpected ingredients that could be to blame for your sleepless nights. That could send conflicting messages to your brain, provoking nightmares. Bananas also make you more likely to remember your dreams and make the dreams you do have more vivid. Who knew seasoned cabbage and radish could be so tasty? Cheese and milk are thought to be the biggest culprits within this group, explains Montagu. A University study found that people self-reported having a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep after eating hot sauce. Eating it before bed may seem like the perfect way to relax after a long day, but it can actually keep you up and screw with your sleep. nuts and other foods normally contain lots of sodium (5-10%). Night terrors typically occur in the first few hours after falling asleep. After sorting through their responses, the researchers were able to drum up a targeted list of foods that cause nightmares. You may have heard that spicy foods cause nightmares, or you have experienced it firsthand. You can change your city from here. No, not every single processed food contains MSG, but a large majority of them do - especially foods with salty, savory and umami flavors. Hot sauce (Photo Credit: Getty Images) For all the buzz about cheese causing nightmares, science has yet to strongly link the two for all people. Baked, grilled or fried, chips are undoubtedly a bar snack we all adore. You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato. While we all love carbs, certain starchy foods such as bread and pasta can cause nightmares. But, have you ever considered what might be causing these frightening night terrors? However, it might be time to put down the sauce bottle. Spicy Foods. If youve been getting restful sleep and having pleasant dreams, theres no reason to switch up your meal time. The grease can do a number on your digestive tract, making it hard for you to stay in a restful sleep. Cheese in particular is associated with triggering negative dreams; the fermented dairy product is regularly reported to cause bizarre and upsetting dreams. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. The researchers also suggest that fasting or dieting can influence the intensity of dreaming. fed subjects Tabasco sauce and mustard at dinner. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. Night terrors occur more often in children and are rare in adults. Determining how different foods influence our dreams isn't always cut and dried, though. Sure, dairy contains tryptophan, which serves as a precursor for the sleep-inducing hormone serotonin, but study participants who consumed dairy products (like cheese!) These include drugs like: Antidepressants Antimicrobials Beta-blockers Blood pressure medicine Drugs for Parkinson's disease Drugs to help you. For more, see our post What Are Night Terrors?. Sweet tooths, this one might be hard to stomach. We get it: Late night TV and Ben & Jerry's go together like, well, late night TV and Ben & Jerry's; they're the perfect match. Save this one for brunch instead. If chicken and rice still sounds bland, check out some of these stir-fry recipes for inspiration (just make sure you dont make them too spicy). And you know else that sugar will do? By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. If youve ever thought about indulging in a little leftover pasta and garlic bread late into the evening, maybe you should rethink that. 7 Common Triggers, Bone and Joint Conditions: Gout symptoms, osteoarthritis treatments, rheumatoid arthritis pain relief, and more, Mens Prostate Health: BPH, prostatitis and prostate cancer symptoms, screenings, treatment, and more, Panic Attack Symptoms and Anxiety Symptoms: How to deal with anxiety and how to relieve stress, Sleeping Disorders: Narcolepsy, sleep apnea test, snoring solutions, insomnia cures, and more, Mount Sinai School of Medicine Report on Alzheimers Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital Report on Combating Memory Loss. That nightcap before heading to bed might ease you into a deep slumber, but it will also rob you of a good nights sleep, according to the. Cocktails or alcoholic beverages, such as beer, red wine, sherry, and liqueurs are known to induce nightmares due to their fermentation process, especially when consumed in excess, says Schaffner. BBC Good Food recommends trying protein-rich foods with tryptophan, the amino acid that makes you sleepy. A light snack before bed should give your body a chance to digest and rest. This YouTuber Invented a Hilarious Hack To Help, Need a Better Bra? Though they're often regarded as the better choice, many bottled juices are just as bad as a can of Coke or Pepsi. If youre worried that nightmares are a warning of some sort, relax. Alternatively, Mignot explained, certain proteins can push you further into REM sleep, resulting in dreams that are more vivid and complex. However, studies indicate consuming a tablespoon of ACV at night can cause ultra-realistic and often unsettling nightmare-esque dreams. Chocolate contains compounds that are known to have psychoactive effects on the brain, causing enhanced dreams good or bad. Youre breaking our hearts here. Most of these dairy-free frozen desserts fit the bill. To scare off the Boogyman, Kelly says to be careful to avoid "hidden sources of sugar like ketchup and salad dressings." Some medicines can make nightmares more likely. This gives your digestive system a chance to catch up, and you are more likely to experience an undisturbed sleep until morning., Sign up for Yahoo Lifes daily newsletter, Women who had ovarian cysts share their stories, A sugar replacement may be linked to heart attacks and strokes, but don't throw it out yet. It also increases your likelihood of sleepwalking or performing other actions while asleep. While sweet treats may be tempting before bed, you're better off giving into your cravings with one of these best low-sugar snacks for weight loss. "Many people think of [juice] as a healthy option, when really it can have even more sugar than a comparably sized soda," warns Kelly. But consider this: the research was conducted by the British Cheese Board, who had vested interest in the study. It looks like youre in Australia. Get the best food tips and diet advice every single day, Now, you'll have the best and latest food and healthy eating news right in your inboxevery That may be because spicy foods can alter your bodys temperature, and a higher body temperature can prevent deep sleep and increase REM sleep the sleep stage your body is in while dreaming. As far back as 1964, a researcher noted that a patient stopped having nightmares when he dropped his habit of eating one . That may be because spicy foods can alter your bodys temperature, and a higher body temperature can prevent deep sleep and increase REM sleep the sleep stage your body is in while dreaming. Again, the carbs can take their toll as your body processes them and turns them into sugar. ETimes is an Entertainment, TV & Lifestyle industry's promotional website and carries advertorials and native advertising. HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Late-night eating will boost your bodys metabolism and temperature, which ultimately leads to more brain activity during REM sleep. An Australian, International Journal of Psychophysiology. If you need something to drink, try a nighttime, caffeine-free tea and avoid bottled juices, which are filled with sugar, and hot chocolate, which has dairy, sugar, and caffeine all in one delicious package. "Dairy and spice kind of defines what Welsh rarebit is," Nielsen says. But, if you cant skip dessert why not give dark chocolate or cacao nut bars a try? No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. "Remember that chocolate is high in caffeine (which has been shown to decrease your ability to fall into a deep sleep) and has sugar, so this may not be the best bet before bed," Lauren Kelly, MS, RD, CDN of Kelly Wellness in New York City tells us. Others say that daily eating should end abruptly at 7:00 p.m. to promote weight loss. Each 100 gram introduces 4-6 gram of salt to the body. Loaded with natural sugars, eating a banana before hitting the sack can cause your stomach to continue digesting overnight and may heighten your chances of experiencing vivid dreams or even nightmares. Sugar before bed is really not a good idea, for so many reasons rotting teeth, weight gain and, of course, nightmares. Some study participants who had greasy foods before bed reported having nightmares. Caffeine-laced foods Eating before bed can cause the body's metabolism to shift gears. As for late-night eating directly causing nightmares, small studies of individuals who ate . Today, we're playing the pick n' putt mini-golf game NIGHTMARE EDITION!! But a new study found that people who eat cheese, especially before bed, claim theyre more likely to have bad or weird dreams afterwards. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. Remember, sugar lures the boogieman out. Study participants who drank soda, even during the earlier part of the day, reported having nightmares, likely because of the caffeine and sugar content. One of the connections between nightmares and sugar is hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. If chicken and rice still sounds bland, check out some of these stir-fry recipes for inspiration (just make sure you dont make them too spicy). We're a direct-to-consumer, carbon-neutral pure linen bedding brand. So, if you do enjoy a little bedtime snacking, then take notice of the foods you should definitely avoid. Melatonin, while a popular sleep aid, influences our circadian rhythm that regulates REM sleep, and can lead to more or fewer nightmares. As for carbs, youll want to avoid pasta or breads but rice is a tasty and healthy substitute that can actually improve your sleep quality. But due to their sugar content and dairy base, ice creamcan give you nightmares. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh, press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection, Plus, subscribe for $15 off your first order. Foods containing capsaicin have been shown to disturb sleep and possibly cause nightmares (via Dreams). And while there are a couple different causes of nightmares, what you eat is an easy one to examine and change. Other foods, like cheese and milk, are believed to help you sleep better and promote pleasant dreams. Foods high in tyramine are nutritionally known to disrupt normal sleeping patterns as well as the central nervous system in general, which may lead to increased episodes of nightmares, disturbing dreams, or persistent migraines., If only I hadnt eaten that curry, Id be dreaming of Jamie Dornan right now (Photo: Rex Features), Theres a reason your dreams ramp up a notch after Friday-night takeout. But sugar also figured highly. (Image: istock), It uses sugar, milk, and cocoa powder and often makes the body warm immediately, but having it at night causes discomfort in the digestive system and also raises blood pressure, resulting in a nightmare. Casein is a protein found in milk and other dairy products. "There is a simple treatment for this: eat 1-2 ounces of protein before bed for a few nights; think things like two hard-boiled eggs or . So, if youre hankering for a late-night carb, how about a bowl of rice? Don't worry! While no study has ever legitimized the claim that spicy or cheese-filled foods give you nightmares, what is true is that these high-fat and hot foods do cause restless stomachs. The new Burger King sandwich includes one-quarter. Read more here. Of those who believed food could influence dreams, the most frequent foods mentioned as causing both disturbing (44 percent) and bizarre (39 percent) dreams were, in fact, dairy, including. Soysauce, steak sauces have MSG. As Emmanuel Mignot, director of the Stanford University Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine, explained to the The Wall Street Journal, these correlations could be caused by other factors. Noooooo! Other condiments, like ketchup and BBQ sauce, can also be filled with lots of hidden sugars that keep you up. It may be difficult to go back to sleep. UHN Premier Pass is your online passport to the full resources of University Health News! And now, more than 2,000 years later, there's finally a study (published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology) that corroborates his notions. Are You At Risk Of The Skinny-Fat Epidemic? Almost 44 percent of participants reported having dreams of a disturbing nature after consuming cheese and other dairy products. Yep, some of your favorite spicy condiments may be whats affecting your sleep. Eating it before bed may seem like the perfect way to relax after a long day, but it can actually keep you up and screw with your sleep. Published on September 28, 2016 | 7:43 PM. And more brain activity during REM sleep can lead to poor sleep quality. Cheese contains tryptophan an amino acid that the body uses to produce serotonin. (Image: istock), As per a study by the Frontiers of Psychology, greasy foods like chips are rich in fat, which takes time to digest, and eating them at night causes unrest and irregular sleep, which often results in nightmares too. Alright, youve probably heard about this one before. Spicy food elevates the bodys temperature and could therefore disturb brain activity and cause nightmares. Benefits of chomping on this refreshing fruit, 5 best exercises for latissimus dorsi, one of the largest muscles of the body. While nightmares can be disturbing for a child, theyre a normal part of our development. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); Add a caffeinated food or beverage into the mix, like dark chocolate, a latte or caffeinated tea, and that increased brain activity might signal nightmares. Although nightmares aren't guaranteed, you're more likely to experience vivid or unsettling dreams if you're falling into a deep sleep state. According to Food and Wine, theres no one food or drink thats guaranteed to give you nightmares. The reason: Spicy foods alter the body's temperature, which according to the study, alters dream formations during the REM (rapid eye motion) stage of sleep. We serve personalized stories based on the selected city, Your daily horoscope 5th March , 2023: Leo & Pisces may face financial issues, Top 3 reasons why you don't feel confident anymore, Body language expert decodes Karan Kundra and Tejasswi Prakash's relationship, Most loyal men belong to these zodiac signs, What is fear of sex (genophobia) and how to cope with it, Weight loss lessons from man who lost 137 pounds after years of struggle, Watermelon season is here! High in caffeine and sugar, eating chocolate before bed decreases your ability to fall into a deep sleep and cause nightmares [7] . Who knew seasoned cabbage and radish could be so tasty? GMM # 1963Subscribe to GMM: https://www.youtube.com/goodmythicalmorning?sub_confirma. Eat This, Not That! Thank you for subscribing! Being haunted even by traumatic events may be helpful, research shows, and experts think they could actually be beneficial. When you consume a spicy food, for instance, like a hot chile pepper or a spoonful of wasabi, your internal body temperature rises. Greasy food, especially red meat, is hard for the body to breakdown so your stomach will be making all sorts of funny noises. Containing plenty of dairy, milk is known to help you enter deep levels of sleep. Discover our range for a beautiful space and your best sleepever. Some 7.7 percent blamed spicy foods for bizarre dreams. Your child is more likely to have nightmares when they're going on too little sleep. 8. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil. Eating cheese late at night, the rumour goes, will give you strange dreams. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. After a night of spicy Thai takeout, you might have experienced the consequences to your unconscious perhaps you wake in a start after dreaming of a plane crash, or cower at the memory of some horrifying monster. And these days, the options of toppings and dipping sauces are endless. So, if youre hankering for a late-night carb, how about a bowl of rice? Did you know there are certain foods that can lead to restlessness and even nightmares? Deep sleep decreases and REM, or dreaming, sleep increases. And when you wake up in the middle of a dream, youre more likely to remember it which can make it even harder to fall back asleep if it was a nightmare. Avoid processed foods like the plague. Spicy foods and fried foods, while oh so delicious, can cause indigestion that can lead to not-so-pleasant dreams. Cleveland Clinic reports that it decreases deep sleep and increases REM sleep. Foods that are fermented or pickled in any way sauerkraut, kimchi, tofu or pickles, soy sauce, miso and miso-containing products can induce bad dreams when eaten at night, explains Schaffner. Pre-bedtime snackers, take note: The types of food you eat before hitting the sack can have a major effect on your dreams. When we consider that the nutrients in food affect many things in the body, such as energy levels, mood, and sleep quality, it is entirely plausible that different foods can also affect dreams in different ways, explains nutritionist and yoga teacher Julie Montagu. As the study authors noted, though, these results don't necessarily show that these food groups really did . Chocolate is a complex food, and it's not just the sugar that can cause you to have nightmares. In turn, your brain activity will increase. (Image: istock), Also Read: Best foods to consume before going to bed, According to Ayurveda, consumption of curd at night leads to mucus formation, hinders the breathing mechanism, impacts blood flow to the brain, and results in restlessness and nightmares. 3. Drinking hot cocoa is also a major cause of bad dreams. But per Fox News, the acid from tomato sauce can give you acid reflux, and the heavy doughs and oils can lead to heart burn. It also increases brain activity, which can be a recipe for disaster when youre trying to calm your mind and get ready for bed. The findings revealed that food really did appear to influence their dreams. If you're craving something creamy, look for a non-dairy, low sugar option instead. Ice cream checks a few of those boxes it has dairy, of course, and its also incredibly sweet. That nightcap before heading to bed might ease you into a deep slumber, but it will also rob you of a good nights sleep, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Loaded with natural sugars, eating a banana before hitting the sack can cause your stomach to continue digesting overnight and may heighten your chances of experiencing vivid dreams or even nightmares. With that in mind, we suggest choosing baked foods over fried whenever possible. We don't suggest cutting spicy foods completely from your diet, but we do recommend you avoid eating spicy foods before bed. And when you wake up in the middle of a dream, youre more likely to remember it which can make it even harder to fall back asleep if it was a nightmare. And if you havent been sleeping well but cant imagine going without hot sauce or pasta, consider having them for lunch instead of dinner. Why are fit people getting a heart attack? A Japanese study published in the journal Plos One examined the sleep quality of 1,848 men and women aged 20 and 60 years after they ate certain carbs. But thankfully, the older you get the fewer nightmares you experience. These Foods Can Literally Give You Nightmares, your ideal temperature for falling asleep is much lower than you might think, foods that can help you on your quest to sleep worse, if you think it's worth it. And there are any number of factors that trigger them. 1. In the study, sweet foods were shown to cause scary dreams. A study from 2015, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, found associations between types of dreams and three major food groups. There are a few studies that support my beliefs and show evidence that eating before bed may lead to nightmares. Researchers found that pasta along with bread reduced sleep quality. You haven't actually lost all your teeth and showed up to work in your underwear. Other condiments, like ketchup and BBQ sauce, can also be filled with lots of hidden sugars that keep you up. All Rights Reserved. According to the study, students who ate spicy foods before bed had a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep. The Wall Street Journal cites a study that says that, when spicy foods raise your bodys temperature, it can lead to waking up more in the night. 44% of respondents say they had disturbing dreams after eating dairy, 19% reported nightmares after eating spicy foods, and 27% had bizarre dreams after eating sweet foods. 44% of respondents say they had disturbing dreams after eating dairy, 19% reported nightmares after eating spicy foods, and 27% had bizarre dreams after eating sweet foods. That seemingly innocent bowl of ice cream before bed just might scare you to death! And caffeine doesnt just keep you up in the traditional sense. Can foods cause nightmares? Here are details, Mistrial declared in Tucson for man charged in girl's death, Climate activists target art work near German parliament, England cricketer Danielle Wyatt gets engaged to sports agent girlfriend Georgie Hodge, 5 ways being an overprotective parent can affect your child, Beautiful baby boy names from Gurbani Guru Granth Sahib, 19 things you should teach your elderly parents. there's MSG in a lot of things.. a restaurant doesn't need to actually put sprinkles of MSG to give you MSG. We make your dreams a reality. As a service to our readers, University Health News offers a vast archive of free digital content. Add a caffeinated food or beverage into the mix, like dark chocolate, a latte or caffeinated tea, and that increased brain activity might signal nightmares. Beta blockers treat high blood pressure and other heart-related conditions. They also reported having stressful dreams. Some people suspect that foods, including sweets, can cause nightmares. And give yourself a few hours between eating and sleep to allow your body to digest the food without affecting your dreams. A Bad Nights Sleep Could Lead to Weight Gain, Study Finds, You Might Sleep Better By Spending Less Time In Bed, 3 Unexpected Reasons You Cant Sleep And the Natural Remedies That Can Help, Part of the a360media Women's Service Group.Copyright a360media 2023. Fast Food. Have you ever experienced food-fueled nightmares? This is how we're differentand why we started. If you cant eat without them, make sure youre eating at least six hours before bedtime so your body has plenty of time to process. If you drink juice, only do so early in the day and be sure to dilute it with a little bit of water. Our advice? Since your body really doesnt have a chance to burn any of that fat or sugar before bed, all of those icy carbs are going to pump your body full of energy right before you hit the hay. Confusion, sweating, and shakiness are some of the telltale signs of hypoglycemic. To verify, just follow the link in the message, By subscribing to newsletter, you acknowledge our, Copyright 2022 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved |, Delhi Times, Aurangabad Times, Maharashtra Times, 9 foods that can give you nightmares and sleepless nights. Dairy products, including milk, cheese, and ice cream, caused disturbing and bizarre dreams for 44 percent and 39 percent, respectively, of those who believed food had an effect. 18 delicious foods to eat tonight for a great sleep! June 1, 2012. Your subscription is confirmed for news related to biggest developments in health, medicine and wellbeing. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-53563316-1&cid=c1a49dfb-da1a-40f4-bc50-a1a7db96f9cc&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=5508911607145358986'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); Nightmares are only considered a disorder if disturbing dreams cause you distress or keep you from getting enough sleep. If you have to have some chocolaty goodness after your evening meal, cut your portion size back to see if that helps. Dairy products, including milk, cheese, and ice cream, caused disturbing and bizarre dreams for 44 percent and 39 percent, respectively, of those who believed food had an effect. This Mineral May Balance Blood Sugar and Support Weight Loss, How Can I Eat Bread Without Gaining Weight? Health Advice for Women Over 40, Meno-Pot Belly and Morning Proteins: When, Not Just What, You Eat Matters, This Alternative to Intermittent Fasting Supports the Repair of Your Metabolism and Gut Health, Study Suggests Correlation Between Memory Loss and Frequent Consumption of Processed Foods, This UnDiet Weight Loss Supplement Has Slimming Superpowers, Eating These 3 Slimming Superfoods Helps Ease Bothersome Menopausal Symptoms, How Eating These Foods Helped One Woman Boost Her Energy and Focus. And while it may seem silly to think that a bad dream can affect your health, nightmares are seriously bad for you. One study illustrates that more than 20 percent of women who were victims of sexual or physical assault were experiencing nightmares about the event three months later. You may remember, as a kid, occasionally waking up in a cold sweat, startled out of your slumber by one of those frighteningly vivid nightmares. Nightmares in the first few weeks after a traumatic event have not been associated with health problems, reported CNNs Carinna Storrs. Use left arrow key to move back to the parent list. Spicy Food. Spicy foods were next on the list, delivering disturbing dreams in 19 percent of reports. But spicy foods aren't the only foods that tend to give people nightmares. Especially for those with heartburn, deep-fried and oily food will cause gastric acid to flare. You can find it in chicken or turkey as well as nuts and seeds. For more ways to cut back on your intake of the sweet stuff, don't miss these easy ways to stop eating so much sugar. However, these amino acids are not associated with certain types of dreams; they only intensify their memory. (Image: istock), Bread and pasta are rich in starch and carbs, which convert to glucose in the body and have the same effects as sugary foods, further causing irregular sleep and nightmares.