Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by theworldofsleepstaff
Do you enjoy having pizza before bed? It might sound like an indulgence, but for many people, it’s their favourite way to end the day.
The fact is, eating pizza before bed can be a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. But unfortunately while there are a few positives to eating pizza in the evening, there are many disadvantages too and it could even impact your sleep.
In this article, we’ll discuss the potential pros and cons of having pizza before bed, as well as ways to enjoy it more healthily.
Note: This content is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment. Please consult a healthcare professional for any health-related issues.
What Happens If I Eat Pizza Before Bed?
Eating pizza before bed can actually be beneficial when consumed in moderation – and if it’s a healthy pizza (see our healthy pizza recipes at the bottom of this article).
That’s because it can provide the body with energy, vitamins, minerals, and a feeling of comfort.
However, it’s important to remember that overeating anything, including pizza, can cause weight gain and digestive issues like heartburn or acid reflux. So eating a small slice or two is best, and not overindulge.
What Makes Pizza So Tempting At Night?
Pizza is filled with soothing ingredients like cheese, sauce and dough. So eating pizza before bed can provide a comforting and familiar flavour to end the day.
It’s also easy to eat too —no utensils required! Plus, it can be delivered to your door if you order delivery.
Pizza may also contain a few nutrients that the body needs for energy and restful sleep. It contains carbohydrates which give the body energy, and protein to help repair damaged muscles during sleep.
Eating pizza may also be a great way to get essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12, calcium, zinc and magnesium.
However that’s unfortunately where the benefits end…
Top 12 Disadvantages Of Eating Pizza Before Bed
Eating pizza before bed has its drawbacks, too. Here are some essential points to consider before indulging in a slice of pizza late at night:
1. Increased Calorie Intake
Eating pizza before bed can increase your calorie intake for the day, leading to weight gain.
Many dieticians say that eating pizza before bed isn’t the best choice if you’re trying to keep your total daily calorie intake low.
2. Poor Sleep Quality
Eating pizza late at night can lead to poor sleep quality due to indigestion and heartburn. In addition, the carbs in pizza stimulate the production of serotonin and melatonin, hormones that can make it difficult to fall asleep.
Most experts recommend avoiding pizza within three to four hours of bedtime.
3. Increased Risk of Diabetes
Eating pizza late at night can increase your risk of type-2 diabetes due to increased blood sugar levels. High sugar intake before bed increases insulin production and causes glucose to stay in the bloodstream, increasing the risk of developing diabetes.
What makes this worse is that pizza has more sugar and carbs than other types of food.
4. Poor Eating Habits
Eating pizza before bed can become a habit, leading to poor eating habits in general. However, if you’re used to ending the day with pizza, breaking this habit and switching to healthier late-night snacks may be challenging.
But to reach your health and fitness goals, you must make healthier eating choices.
5. Increased Risk of Heart Disease
Late-night pizza consumption might be linked to increased bad cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease. When the body has too much LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, it builds up on the walls of arteries and causes blockages.
This can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
6. Reflux & Heartburn
Eating pizza at night can cause reflux and heartburn due to the high acid content in tomatoes. In addition, the acidity of pizza sauce can irritate the lining of the oesophagus and stomach, leading to indigestion and discomfort.
What you don’t want to do is lay down right after eating pizza, as this can make the symptoms worse.
7. Adrenal Fatigue
Eating pizza late at night could cause adrenal fatigue due to its high sugar content. Overeating sugar triggers a release of adrenaline in the body, which can lead to exhaustion and fatigue.
This can make sleeping difficult, leading to sleep deprivation and poor energy levels.
8. High Sodium Intake
Pizza is known for its high sodium content, which can be dangerous when consumed excessively. Too much salt can lead to water retention, bloating, and increased blood pressure. It’s important to limit sodium intake before bed to prevent these issues.
Avoiding processed or fast-food pizza is also essential, as they tend to have very high sodium levels.
9. Increased Risk of Cavities
Eating pizza before bed can increase your risk of cavities due to the sugar content in dough and sauce. In addition, not brushing your teeth after eating pizza leaves sugar on the teeth all night, which increases oral bacteria and plaque.
Brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth after eating pizza to prevent dental issues is essential.
10. Poor Digestive Health
Pizza can be difficult for the body to digest due to its high fat and calorie content. Eating large portions of rich cheese and sauce late at night can cause stomach discomfort and indigestion, leading to poor digestive health.
It’s essential to consider your portion size when eating pizza before bed and opt for lighter toppings instead of cheese or processed meats. Additionally, drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help with digestion.
11. Lack of Nutrients
Pizza contains few essential nutrients, so eating it before bed means you lack the vitamins and minerals you need from other foods. Eating pizza late at night can also lead to cravings for sugary and processed snacks, further detracting from your nutritional needs.
Eating a well-rounded diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is essential to get the nutrients your body needs.
12. Weight Gain
Eating pizza before bed can lead to weight gain due to its high-calorie content. In addition, the combination of carbohydrates, fat, and calories in pizza makes it easy to overeat, which can cause weight gain over time.
Eating in moderation when consuming pizza late at night is essential, and combining it with plenty of physical activity prevents weight gain.
5 Helpful Tips When Eating Pizza Before Bed
1. Choose healthier toppings like vegetables and grilled chicken instead of processed meats, pepperoni, and cheese.
Most would use this as an opportunity to list a bunch of healthier toppings, but we’ll leave that up to you.
In addition, the toppings to avoid have in common that they are processed, fatty and high-sodium.
2. Limit portion size to avoid overeating.
This should go without saying, but limiting the amount of pizza you eat in the evening is essential. Overeating can lead to an increase in calories and fat consumption, leading to weight gain.
3. Cut out desserts or sugary drinks after eating pizza.
Eating a sugary dessert or having a sweet drink with your pizza can increase your sugar intake and cause an adrenaline rush, making it difficult to sleep. So avoiding sugary snacks or drinks is best if you eat pizza before bed.
4. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Staying hydrated can help your body digest food more efficiently, which is especially important when eating pizza before bed. Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent bloating and discomfort after a heavy meal.
5. Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth after eating pizza.
This final tip is essential for preventing cavities, as it helps remove sugar from the teeth that can lead to plaque buildup. Additionally, brushing or rinsing your mouth can help reduce bad breath caused by eating a heavy meal.
2 Healthy Pizza Recipes You Can Eat Before Bed
1. Grilled Vegetable and Pesto Pizza
Ingredients:
– Whole wheat pizza dough
– A few tablespoons of pesto sauce
– One cup of mozzarella cheese
– Assorted grilled vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and tomatoes
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Roll out pizza dough into desired shape and thickness and place on prepared baking sheet.
3. Spread pesto sauce over the top of the dough, followed by mozzarella cheese and grilled vegetables.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the dough are slightly browned.
5. Let cool before slicing and enjoying!
2. Portobello Mushroom Pizza with Spinach and Feta Cheese
Ingredients:
– Whole wheat pizza dough
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 4 portobello mushrooms, sliced
– 1/4 cup of spinach leaves, chopped
– 1/2 cup of feta cheese, crumbled
– 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Roll out pizza dough into desired shape and thickness and place on prepared baking sheet.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add mushrooms, spinach, garlic powder and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
4. Spread the vegetable mixture over the top of the pizza dough and sprinkle with feta cheese.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the dough are slightly browned.
6. Let cool before slicing and enjoying!
Eating pizza doesn’t have to be unhealthy. Following the tips above and preparing one of these two delicious recipes, you can enjoy a tasty pizza night before bed without compromising your health. So go ahead and dig in!
Happy snacking!