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MathGirl
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06 Dec 2009, 11:49 pm

Has anybody ever heard of a link between potato chips and sleep? Because every time I eat potato chips, I can't sleep for hours. I'm pretty sure I read a journal article about this before.

Any idea? Maybe try it yourself and see if eating potato chips does the same thing to you as well.


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willa
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07 Dec 2009, 12:26 am

I've kind of always assumed eating anything too late at night will keep you up (and just generally unhealthy.) You are, essentially, eating energy. Chips are potatoes, lots of carbs, big energy source. Maybe the typically large amount of salt plays a part too? Not sure, dont take my word for it, just making an educated guess, never heard anything before specifically about chips (though i'm vaguely remembering something about ice cream being bad and keeping you up at night.)

I also wouldnt rule out some kind of parenting urban legend thing. Parents trying to quiet down a kid being annoyingly persistant about wanting a snack at night and telling their kids they are not allowed to have a snack before bed because it will keep them up. :P


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MathGirl
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07 Dec 2009, 1:37 am

willa wrote:
Chips are potatoes, lots of carbs, big energy source.
That must be it!


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Friskeygirl
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07 Dec 2009, 1:44 am

Willa is right, potato chips are loaded with carbs, not the best snack before bedtime, a better snack is is a slice of cheddar cheese.
I have to watch my carb intake being diabetic, so no late high carb meals like pasta rice or breads, its best to go to bed on a empty stomach



jawbrodt
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07 Dec 2009, 1:49 am

I ate 1400 calories worth of cookies, plus some milk, last night before i went to sleep. No wonder why it didn't work out so good. :lol:


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Celtic_Frost
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07 Dec 2009, 2:42 am

Friskeygirl wrote:
its best to go to bed on a empty stomach


No it's not. I would be up all night! No matter what kind of "midnight snack" you have, nothing will keep you from getting sleepy eventually. I believe that it's best to go to sleep with something in your stomach.



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07 Dec 2009, 3:46 am

Celtic_Frost wrote:
Friskeygirl wrote:
its best to go to bed on a empty stomach


No it's not. I would be up all night! No matter what kind of "midnight snack" you have, nothing will keep you from getting sleepy eventually. I believe that it's best to go to sleep with something in your stomach.


Fine what ever works for you since your wrong, but as I said, I am a diabetic and I have to watch my carb intake and going to
bed on a belly full of fatty chips is going to keep your stomach digesting and with some people it keeps them awake, besides its
not a healthy way to treat your body, I did suggest to MathGirl that she try something healthy like a slice of cheese since its easy to digest.



MathGirl
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07 Dec 2009, 5:01 pm

Friskeygirl wrote:
Fine what ever works for you since your wrong, but as I said, I am a diabetic and I have to watch my carb intake and going to
bed on a belly full of fatty chips is going to keep your stomach digesting and with some people it keeps them awake, besides its
not a healthy way to treat your body, I did suggest to MathGirl that she try something healthy like a slice of cheese since its easy to digest.
Cheese is a good idea, I used to eat cheese before going to sleep. But now I'm on a gluten-free and casein-free diet, which means no more cheese for me. This diet is worth it for me, though, since I feel so energetic sometimes now, it's like I'm on a slight high. My mind is clearer and I process things faster, too. It's not for everyone, though, so not like I'm advertising it or anything. Too bad it's such a difficult diet to follow since there are so many temptations. :(

Nuts is another good snack before bedtime, if you're not allergic.

What's still surprising is that sometimes I eat rice (also high-carb) before sleeping, but I'm still able to fall asleep. With chips, it's not like that. There's probably a certain type of carbs in chips that is more difficult for me to digest.


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Friskeygirl
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09 Dec 2009, 4:24 am

What I have noticed if I have any wheat based carbs it my blood sugar rise within a half hour, like if I have a slice of toast, I don't actually notice an increase if a have chips, unless I eat a whole bag, I like having pistachios but they tend to be very salty, but I crave salt on some days