An increasing number of nutrition experts believe that going to sleep hungry is not advisable because the body needs energy. Instead of a heavy and calorie-rich dinner, they recommend a light and healthy meal that is easy on the stomach and quickly digestible.
Experts warn that a healthy dinner may not satisfy many people, leading them to feel continuously hungry. If this happens to you, you are on the right track, as the body needs up to a week to adapt to a different digestion and breakdown process. In the evening, we should mainly consume proteins, amino acids, and vitamins. In short, the building blocks necessary for the body's regeneration. Without a sufficient supply of these nutrients, you may wake up tired the next morning and, in the long run, even contribute to causing diseases, potentially irreversible ones.
Experts caution that hunger during sleep slows down metabolism, causing the body to store food rather than utilizing it. Thus, hunger during sleep often has the opposite effect than desired.
Among the most recommended food items for a light dinner are white meat like chicken, turkey, or fish, while eggs and nuts are highly recommended. Pay attention to portion sizes and avoid overeating. Stay away from sweet, salty, and spicy foods, fats, carbonated beverages, and of course, carbohydrates. Only complex carbohydrates are allowed, as they cannot be easily processed by the body – typically, these are foods made from whole grains.
Finally, a piece of advice: there is nothing wrong with having 3 main meals and 3 snacks, with the last snack being really light and healthy (not exceeding 5% of the recommended daily calorie intake), but the most important rule is to not eat anything one hour before bedtime.