Should you skip meat at night? Experts' advice on dinner choices that help prevent restless sleep
In the evening, when we're preparing dinner, one question often comes up around the table: is it really a good idea to eat meat before going to bed?
Between those who swear that a meal without meat isn't a "real meal" and those who prefer to rely on soup or salad in the evening, it's sometimes hard to know what to think...
And yet, the choice of food at dinner can really influence our digestion... but also our sleep.
So, should we avoid meat in the evening? Not necessarily. But some meats are clearly more suitable than others!
Why eating meat in the evening doesn't always go well with sleep
It's no secret that after a heavy meal, falling asleep can quickly become complicated.
And it's precisely because some meats require a lot of work from the body during digestion. The result? The body continues to work at full speed, when it should be slowing down before nightfall.
In other words: that heavy feeling after a big evening meal... it's not just a feeling ;)
But that's not all.
Meat also contains tyrosine, a compound involved in the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to alertness.
In short, certain meat-rich meals can keep the body a little "up" just when it should be starting to slow down.
Does this mean you should give up meat altogether in the evening?
Not necessarily.
Because meat also has a big advantage: it's rich in protein, the nutrient that most promotes satiety.
And that can be very interesting for some people.
For example, those who tend to feel hungry in the evening, who snack in front of a TV series or even wake up feeling hungry at night can sometimes sleep better with a slightly higher-protein dinner.
Meat can also help people who have difficulty meeting their daily protein requirements.
As is often the case in nutrition, it's all a question of balance and food choice :)
Not all meats are created equal in the evening
And here, clearly, some options are much more interesting than others. Dinner's best student? Poultry.
Chicken, turkey... these are relatively lean meats, rich in protein and generally easier to digest. Next come lean deli meats such as ham, Bündnerfleisch or lean bacon.
These products are easier to digest than very fatty meats, and are often better suited to small evening appetites. On the other hand, some meats are clearly less ideal before bedtime.
Rib steaks, lamb, ribs, loin and sausages all require much more digestive effort from the body...
The real secret is support
Because a balanced dinner doesn't just mean "with or without meat".
A balanced evening meal ideally combines a portion of vegetables, a source of protein and a little starch or bread.
And that changes everything.
A piece of chicken accompanied by roasted vegetables and a little rice will often be much better tolerated than a huge burger gobbled up in front of the television!
Finally, the best time to eat meat is often lunchtime.
Lunch is generally the best time to eat meat.
Why is that? Because protein allows you to last longer between meals, and the gap between lunch and dinner is often the longest of the day.
The body is also more active during the day to manage digestion.
In other words, a good protein meal at lunchtime is often more interesting than a heavy dinner just before going to bed.
So, meat in the evening: good or bad idea?
In the end, there are no hard and fast rules.
Eating meat in the evening is not "forbidden". But it's best to choose lean meats, avoid overly large portions and, above all, opt for a balanced, easily digestible meal.
Because between a light dinner that helps you get a good night's sleep... and a complicated digestion that leaves you awake until midnight, the difference can sometimes simply be in the food you eat.
Adèle Peyches
Comments