5 unexpected risks of eating in your bed for your health (2024)
Whether you are a 'repeat offender' or do it once in a while, eating in your bed could be secretly damaging your health. The temptation to carry your snacks or even main course to the bed may strike sometimes but doing it more often can lead to problems like indigestion, hygiene concerns, problems in sleeping, allergies and dental caries. It is not just food, experts often advise against working in your bedroom as well. This is because doing so can lead to decreased alertness, focus, and productivity. The same is true for your dining habits. When you are eating in your bed, tiny crumbs from your plate can find their place in the nooks and corners of your bed and sheet, inviting loads of mould and germs which could in turn lead to allergies, respiratory issues and other infections. (Also read: How often should you change your bedsheet? An expert answers)
It has also been observed that eating in bed can work against mindful eating as the focus is more on relaxation than in enjoying every bite of your meal. Some people also lie down while eating if they are in bed, which could further aggravate the problem as not sitting straight can contribute to acid reflux for people who are prone to it. It can also promote over-eating as you are more likely to watch TV or mobile screen when you are eating in your bed.
Get ready to catch the final stages of the World Cup only on Crickit. Anytime, Anywhere. Explore now!
Agrees Praveena K, Dietitian, Amrita Hospital, Kochi who feels eating in bed could lead to people eating large portions of food.
"Eating in bed may lead to distractions, resulting in excessive eating and forgetting about portion control. A balanced and controlled diet is essential to keep our bodies healthy and meet all our bodily nutrient requirements. Proper portion sizing is essential to avoid large meals, as overeating can cause obesity," says the nutritionist.
Listing a range of other issues which could arise due to relishing your food in bed, Praveena K feels it could confuse the mind whether one is resting or eating and the faulty posture could lead to digestive issues.
"Additionally, eating in bed can disrupt sleep, as the bed is primarily for sleeping. Engaging in activities like snacking, eating, or watching TV in bed can confuse the mind about its purpose. Lying down immediately after eating can lead to GERD, indigestion, and heartburn due to incomplete food digestion. This position can also cause acid reflux by putting the digestive system in an awkward position. Oral hygiene is crucial; neglecting to brush and wash your mouth after eating can lead to bad breath and dental caries," says the expert.
Dr Neeti Sharma, Sr. Consultant - Nutrition & Dietitics at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram also feels eating in bed is not just messy but can also trigger allergic reactions or respiratory issues.
Side effects of eating in your bed
Dr Sharma shares 5 side effects of eating in bed for your health which you may not be aware of.
1. Mess and stains: Eating in bed can leave your bedding covered in spills, crumbs, and stains that are difficult to clean up and can draw pests like bed bugs and ants.
2. Poor digestion: Lying down during meals can cause discomfort, bloating, or even acid reflux by obstructing the natural flow of digestive juices. In general, eating upright promotes better digestion and is healthier.
3. Risk of health problems: Eating in bed increases the chance of consuming crumbs or other tiny particles, which can cause allergic reactions or respiratory problems, particularly if you have asthma or other allergies.
4. Hygiene concerns: Food particles left on the bed over time can draw mould and germs, making the sleeping environment unhygienic and possibly unhealthy. Sustaining proper hygiene practices can be facilitated by keeping the bed tidy and used just for sleeping.
5. Sleep issues: By associating the bed with activities other than sleeping, eating in bed might interfere with your sleep cycle and make it more difficult to relax and get asleep when you really want to.
News/Lifestyle/Health/ 5 unexpected risks of eating in your bed for your health
Engaging in activities like snacking, eating, or watching TV in bed can confuse the mind about its purpose. Lying down immediately after eating can lead to GERD, indigestion, and heartburn due to incomplete food digestion. This position can also cause acid reflux by putting the digestive system in an awkward position.
Indigestion: digestive woes are the most common and major health risk that one may when eating everyday in bed. Eating lying down in bed or sitting in slouchy positions affects digestion. It may cause indigestion, acid reflux etc. It is important to sit on a chair upright and eat as it promotes gut health.
The upright position helps digestion and eases moving food through the digestive tract. Lying down may inhibit this natural process and lead to slow digestion, which may cause feelings of fullness, bloating, and discomfort.
Risks of Eating Before Bed. Health experts advise against eating a full or heavy meal near bedtime. Consuming a large meal so close to sleeping can affect digestion and sleep quality. Over time, consuming most of a person's daily food intake late in the day can also lead to obesity.
Engaging in activities like snacking, eating, or watching TV in bed can confuse the mind about its purpose. Lying down immediately after eating can lead to GERD, indigestion, and heartburn due to incomplete food digestion.
Lying down immediately after eating a light meal for dinner can cause the stomach contents to reflux into the oesophagus, triggering symptoms of GERD and heartburn. This is more likely to happen if your stomach has not emptied by the time you go to bed.
Going to bed hungry can be safe as long as you're eating a well-balanced diet throughout the day. Avoiding late-night snacks or meals can actually help avoid weight gain and an increased BMI. If you're so hungry that you can't go to bed, you can eat foods that are easy to digest and promote sleep.
The side effects of sleeping immediately after eating range from indigestion to weight gain and even possible circadian rhythm disruptions. Our Cuddler can help with heartburn and the Tree Napper may be a good option for keeping cool, but it's important to avoid late-night snacking for the best possible sleep.
“From a digestive standpoint, lying down or eating when you're not as erect does not promote peristalsis, and that could contribute to acid reflux, if you're prone to that,” he said.
A recent study reported at the American Heart Association's annual meeting that eating high-calorie meals after 6 P.M.significantly increases the risk for high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels that can lead to type 2 diabetes. Blood pressure usually drops at night, which allows the body to rest.
While there's no blanket rule, sticking to one to two bananas per day shouldn't cause issues for most people. With that said, remember that they are relatively high in carbohydrates, so eating them along with protein or fat is also advisable to support stable energy levels.
Certain nutrients and hormones help promote sleep. Tryptophan, found in turkey and fish, promotes serotonin production. Melatonin (found in dairy and cherries) makes you sleepy, potassium (found in bananas) and magnesium (also found in bananas and almonds) help promote muscle relaxation.
Citrus fruits, like oranges and grapefruits, are acidic and can cause heartburn or acid reflux. If you're prone to these conditions, it's best to avoid citrus fruits before bedtime.
Bananas. Bananas are a great food all-round, but if you usually eat a banana for breakfast, you might want to think about enjoying this exotic fruit before bed instead. They are one of the best foods for sleep, due to their high levels of magnesium which relax the muscles and calm the body.
Sleep-related eating disorder can be dangerous to your health and the health of your family. If you have a history of sleep-related eating disorder, talk to your provider about how to stop eating while you're asleep. Untreated, this abnormal sleep behavior can lead to a range of serious injuries and health problems.
It's because eating food in bed can become a reason to attract negativities, as it can disrupt the stability of your business, money and overall wealth.
As a general rule of thumb, nutritionists will tell you to wait about three hours to sleep after eating. For example, if you have dinner at 6 p.m., try to wait to go to sleep until 9 p.m. This allows some digestion to occur and gives time for the contents of your stomach to move into your small intestine.
A number of studies show there's increased gastric acid secretion after you lie down for bed, and that's going to cause more esophageal irritation, heartburn, and discomfort. You may also burn fewer of the calories you've consumed as your metabolic rate slows down.
Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
