Managing sleep apnea often means making a few strategic changes to your lifestyle. For example, while you may not realize it, your diet can often have an impact on the quality of your sleep. Certain foods could easily end up making your sleep-disordered breathing worse if you’re not careful. Below is a closer look at some of the foods that are bad for sleep apnea – as well as some alternatives that could potentially help you enjoy a better night’s rest.
Foods to Stay Away from When You Have Sleep Apnea
People with sleep apnea may want to consider cutting the following out of their diets:
- High-Fat or Sugary Foods: Foods that are high in fat or contain a lot of sugar can easily contribute to weight gain. This is notable because being overweight is a major risk factor for sleep apnea.
- Fatty Red Meat: Red meat and sleep apnea can be a bad combination for your heart, as both are associated with an elevated risk of experiencing cardiovascular problems. Additionally, one study found that people who eat red meat tend to experience more severe sleep apnea symptoms.
- Bananas: Under normal circumstances, bananas can be very healthy. However, they can worsen sleep apnea by increasing the presence of mucus in the mouth and throat, thereby making it harder to breathe.
Foods You Should Eat When You Have Sleep Apnea
So what should you eat when you have sleep apnea? The following foods could prove beneficial in a variety of ways:
- Fruits and Vegetables: Many fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants and fiber. Antioxidants can have a positive impact on the quality of your sleep, and fiber can aid with weight loss, which can make your sleep apnea less severe.
- Oily Fish: Salmon and other types of oily fish can be an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. One of the benefits of omega-3s is that they can lower your risk for heart problems, which is good news if sleep apnea has you concerned about your cardiovascular health.
- Walnuts: Walnuts contain melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleep cycle. As such, eating walnuts shortly before bed can make it easier to fall and stay asleep.
When you have sleep apnea, being mindful of your diet could end up making a significant difference for your health and sleep quality. That said, your efforts to address your sleep-disordered breathing shouldn’t stop at changing the foods you eat; you should also reach out to a sleep apnea expert who can help you find the best way to treat the problem.
About the Practice
At SleepMed Solutions, we provide the personalized solutions that our patients need to enjoy a better night’s rest. We take a unique dual approach to sleep apnea treatment that combines medical and dental expertise in a single office. We’re able to offer a wide range of treatment options that include CPAP, oral appliances, and combined treatment. If you think you might have sleep apnea, you can schedule an appointment at our practice in Greensboro by visiting our website or calling (336) 907-7773.