Post by : Saif Rahman

Many people snack late into the evening — while watching films, finishing work, or catching up with friends. French biochemist Jessie Inchauspé warns that certain nighttime treats can quietly undermine both health and sleep. Known to many as the "Glucose Goddess," she says the wrong choices before bed may elevate blood sugar and fragment deep sleep, leaving you more tired the following day.

In a recent video titled “The Secret to Good Sleep,” Jessie laid out how evening snacks affect physiology. Reaching for sugary or highly processed items such as ice cream, cookies or crisps triggers a rapid rise in blood glucose. That sudden spike, followed by a drop, can interrupt restorative sleep phases and contribute to waking up restless or excessively hungry.

Consider a common scenario: it’s 10pm and you want a bite. Many opt for something sweet or fried, believing it will satisfy late hungers. Jessie cautions that these choices force your body out of its rest cycle. Instead of winding down, metabolic systems kick into digesting sugars and fats, which can disturb the night-time recovery your brain and body rely on.

So what are better options? Jessie recommends snacks that blunt glucose swings. Her go-to is Greek yogurt with a spoonful of peanut butter. The mix delivers protein and healthy fats that keep you satiated while avoiding the rapid sugar surge that disrupts sleep.

She specifically advises steering clear of biscuits and other processed evening snacks. These often contain refined sugars, additives and unhealthy fats that can derail metabolism and sleep quality. Still, Jessie emphasises moderation: occasional indulgences are part of life, but those with diabetes or other conditions should consult a physician before changing habits.

Medical experts back up the link between glucose and sleep. A pre-sleep sugar surge prompts insulin release to lower blood sugar, and the subsequent fall in energy can wake you. Over time, repeated patterns of spikes and crashes can increase fatigue, promote weight gain, and raise cardiovascular risk.

Late-night cravings often stem from long intervals between meals or excessive sugar intake earlier in the day, specialists note. Reducing these urges can be helped by regular, balanced meals rich in fibre, protein and healthy fats. Staying hydrated and keeping a consistent sleep schedule also support metabolic steadiness.

Jessie’s guidance ties into her broader work explaining how food impacts glucose. Through books and social channels she offers practical, research-informed strategies to manage blood sugar without strict dieting, focusing on simple habits and meal composition.

Many people report better sleep, steadier energy and improved mood after switching to smarter evening snacks. Options like Greek yogurt, a handful of nuts or a small portion of cheese can satisfy cravings without the penalties of refined sugars.

The takeaway from Jessie Inchauspé is straightforward: you don’t need to ban late-night eating, but choose foods that help your body relax rather than rev it up. A calmer digestive system at night supports deeper rest and healthier mornings.

Adopting small, sustainable changes to evening eating can therefore protect sleep and overall wellbeing, making late-night snacking less of a problem and more of a managed choice.

#Wellness #Health,