If your child is having trouble sleeping or falling asleep, it could be due to what they have been eating before going to bed. Avoid these five types of food before bedtime to help your child have a good night’s sleep!
1. Caffeinated drinks
Iced tea, bubble tea, coffee and some types of energy drinks contain caffeine. Children should not drink these drinks at all, and especially not at bedtime as they contain caffeine, a stimulant. Your child could have a lot of trouble getting to sleep after drinking caffeinated drinks.
2. High sugar drinks
Soda, sweetened juice and drinks that contain a lot of sugar should be avoided before sleeping. It may lead to tooth decay if they forget to brush their teeth before sleeping. In addition, high sugar drinks may lead to a ‘sugar high’ and may be associated with hyperactive behaviour.
3. Fried foods
If junior’s favourite food is fried chicken or fries, it is okay to give him that occasionally, but not at bedtime. Oily food takes longer to digest and may cause stomach discomfort.
4. Chocolate, candy and sweets
Chocolate contains a small amount of caffeine, mixed with a high amount of sugar. Both of which are not at all helpful to help your child go to bed.
5. Dried or preserved fruits
Fruit is generally healthy, but at bedtime, eating excessive fruit may cause your child to need to move his bowels, and lead to a delayed bedtime. It is better to give him fresh fruit earlier in the day, or at least a few hours before bedtime. Dried or preserved fruit also contain sugar and preservatives.
Ms Suzanne Khor
Principal Dietitian
SBCC Baby & Child Clinic (Asthma, Lung, Sleep, Allergy & Paediatric Centre)
Nobel Gastroenterology Centre (Gleneagles Medical Centre)
Nobel Gastroenterology Centre (Mount Elizabeth Novena)
Our Specialist
Suzanne Khor has been practicing as a clinical dietician for the past 18 years. She obtained her postgraduate degree (Masters of Health Science Education) from the University of Sydney Australia. Her special interests are nutrition in feeding difficulties, diet therapy for neurological disorders, eating disorders and weight management.
