Yes, you can eat chicken in the evening, but the type and preparation method matter.
While lean proteins like chicken can be beneficial for sleep due to their tryptophan content, which may increase serotonin levels, you should avoid certain types of chicken and preparation methods close to bedtime.
Here's a breakdown:
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Lean Chicken is Okay: Chicken breast, for example, is a good source of lean protein. The tryptophan in chicken could potentially help with sleep.
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Avoid High-Fat Chicken: Steer clear of fried chicken, chicken wings, or chicken with a lot of skin. These are harder to digest and can disrupt your sleep.
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Preparation Matters: Baking, grilling, or poaching chicken are better options than frying.
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Timing is Key: Eating a large meal, even with healthy chicken, right before bed can still interfere with sleep. Try to eat dinner a few hours before you go to sleep.
In summary, eating lean chicken prepared in a healthy way earlier in the evening is perfectly fine and might even be beneficial. Just avoid high-fat, fried chicken right before bed.
