What Should You Avoid Eating If You Have Sleep Apnea

It’s not uncommon for people to mistake sleep apnea for snoring as they often use these terms interchangeably. The truth, though, is that they’re two different conditions. Simply put, snoring is a noise that one creates when sleeping that is due to a reverberating soft palate. On the other hand, obstructive sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder which is characterized by the repeated stops and starts in breathing while asleep because of a partial or complete blockage of the airway for seconds. 

Almost everyone who has sleep apnea snores. Also, the louder a person snores, the likelier it is for them to have sleep apnea, too. Apart from loud snoring, sleep apnea often causes choking or gasping for air during sleep, restlessness, daytime tiredness, and morning headaches. 

For obstructive sleep apnea, treatments like the CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure devices and other oral appliances can greatly help. But did you know that you can also help mitigate your sleep apnea symptoms with lifestyle changes? Why not start with the food that you eat? Here, one of the best sleep centers in Lethbridge shares about what you should not eat if you have sleep apnea:

Your Diet Impacts Sleep Apnea

You might not realize it, but what you eat before bedtime has a huge impact on how you sleep. There are some food items that have been shown to promote better sleep. There are also food items that are recognized for their anti-inflammatory components that can help keep one’s airway open. Additionally, you’ll benefit from food that promotes weight loss like vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and others. 

Anything that could potentially interfere with your sleep should be avoided. This includes excessive amounts of carbohydrates and sugar. Also remember that the more you eat before bedtime, the longer it will take your body to wind down for slumber.

What You Need to Avoid Eating If You Have Sleep Apnea

You should avoid any food that can trigger your acid reflux and heartburn, which are two common causes of sleep apnea. Also, you should avoid eating anything two hours before bedtime. 

You should also avoid eating these at night:

• Bananas – As delicious as these are, bananas, especially ripe ones can increase mucus production. This means it can make your breathing worse at night.

• High-Fat Dairy and Meat – These are digested more slowly and if consumed a lot could lead to bloating or cramping, especially if you lay down immediately after eating.

• Rich and Spicy Foods – These types of food can induce heartburn and even hurt your throat.
• Alcohol – While taking a sip or two of alcohol might help you fall asleep faster, it can also keep you from reaching your REM stage in sleep. It also relaxes your throat, which might not sound so bad but if you have sleep apnea this means an increased risk for airway blockage.

• Caffeine – You probably already know that caffeine is a stimulant that can keep you up for hours, so it’s recommended that you refrain from caffeine six hours before your bedtime.

• Refined Carbohydrates – Getting added refined carbs can add to your weight and also make your sleep apnea symptoms worse.

Conclusion

Ultimately, what you eat before going to sleep can affect the quality of your sleep. Consuming items from the list above could be making things worse. Making better choices could reduce your sleep apnea symptoms. It’s also recommended that you visit a sleep apnea clinic where you can get effective clinical sleep solutions from an expert.

Lethbridge Snoring & Sleep Apnea Clinic is a trusted sleep disorders clinic that aims to help patients get the best sleep possible for their health. Let our experts assess your sleep condition and help you find the best clinical sleep solutions for it!