Shrimp can be a tasty and nutritional addition to any meal. But some conventional wisdom cautions against eating this shellfish too late at night. Claims that shrimp disrupts sleep and digestion run rampant. But are these beliefs about nighttime shrimp consumption fact or fiction? I decided to dig into the evidence and myths surrounding eating shrimp in the evening.
Origins of the Shrimp Nighttime Taboo
Many cultures have traditional food guidelines advising against certain foods like shrimp being eaten past a certain time, Reasons for caution around nighttime shrimp consumption include
- High cholesterol content hard to digest when going to sleep
- Potential allergies and reactions more likely when tired
- Protein more taxing on digestion systems at night
- Disrupting sleep from potential indigestion or reactions
- Lack of sunlight to properly absorb shrimp nutrients
Additionally Chinese medicine associates different organ energy cycles with various times of day. The large intestine energy peak is from 5 pm to 7 pm which coincides with the easiest time to digest shrimp.
So where did this ingrained taboo around shrimp at night originate? Are the rationales still relevant today? Let’s objectively evaluate the facts
Assessing the Modern Scientific Evidence on Shrimp
Thanks to modern food handling and preparation, much of the traditional concerns around shrimp and nighttime eating no longer present real issues. Here’s what the science says:
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Cholesterol content – Cholesterol levels in shrimp are not significantly higher than many other foods. For most people, cholesterol timing is not a major factor.
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Allergy risks – Allergies are not necessarily higher at night. Good cooking eliminates proteins triggering allergies.
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Protein digestion – Protein take longer to digest but does not inherently disrupt sleep. Individual tolerance varies.
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Indigestion issues – Properly cooked fresh shrimp eaten in moderation is not a common indigestion trigger for most.
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Nutrient absorption – Many nutrients like tryptophan are actually better utilized at night. Sun timing is not a major factor.
So while we can understand the historical origins of the nighttime shrimp myth, the concerns seem overstated based on current knowledge.
Potential Benefits of Eating Shrimp at Night
Not only is shrimp likely neutral for nighttime eating, it may even offer some benefits in moderation.
Potential perks can include:
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Tryptophan for serotonin production and melatonin for sleep.
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Anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids to reduce muscle and joint pain.
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High protein to keep you full and stave off late night cravings.
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Low calorie, low carb option if avoiding heavy foods close to bed.
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Pre-bedtime protein to aid muscle recovery overnight.
Of course individual tolerances vary. But the science does not find an inherent problem with shrimp at night when eaten in reasonable amounts.
Tips for Enjoying Shrimp as an Evening Meal
While shrimp may be perfectly fine for many people to enjoy in the evening, there are some tips to optimize digestion and comfort:
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Avoid eating large or excessive portions close to bedtime. Moderation is key.
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Balance shrimp with vegetable sides or salad rather than heavy starches or carbs.
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Grill, steam or bake shrimp instead of heavy breading or fried preparations.
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Stay adequately hydrated with water throughout the day and with dinner.
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Manage any heartburn or acid reflux symptoms by taking antacids if needed.
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Hold off on shrimp for at least 3-4 hours before laying down if you are highly sensitive or prone to indigestion.
Being mindful of your individual needs makes it possible to enjoy shrimp, even later at night, for many people.
The Verdict on Nighttime Shrimp
Given the modern understanding of food science and individual biological factors, the taboo on late night shrimp consumption appears largely exaggerated. While eating right before bed is not ideal, the evidence does not support an outright prohibition on shrimp in the evening. Here are some key conclusions:
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Cholesterol and nutrient absorption concerns are minimal, especially in reasonable portions.
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Properly handled and cooked shrimp pose very minimal allergy risks.
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Protein can be slightly slower to digest but does not interrupt most people’s sleep.
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Potential benefits like tryptophan even support better sleep in many cases.
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Individual tolerance varies so adjust intake accordingly.
Rather than an absolute cut-off time, awareness of your own sensitivities provides a better guideline. Shrimp can be an option for nighttime meals and snacks if desired by many people. Pass on the unfounded myths, and feel free to enjoy judiciously prepared shrimp even into the evening hours. Just be attentive to your own body and you can confidently savor shrimp guilt-free.
The Takeaway: Shrimp at Night is Fine for Most
Within the bounds of common sense, shrimp makes for a nutritious and delicious addition to an evening meal or snack for many people. While traditional beliefs may caution against it, modern food science suggests shrimp at night is perfectly fine. Keep portions moderate, allow proper digestion time before sleep, and know your own intolerances. Beyond that, you can relish the flavors and nutrition of shrimp, even at night, with peace of mind that you are not disrupting your sleep or health by doing so. Sweet dreams of plump, juicy shrimp!
9 Foods You Should Never Eat Just Before Going to Bed
Finding ways to sleep better is one of the newest trends in the health and fitness world. Getting enough healthy sleep is also popular. There are some strange drinks that can help you fall asleep, and you can eat a lot of snacks before bed to help you get stronger. Anyone who has had caffeine before bed knows that it doesn’t help you sleep, but you might not know that many other foods are also bad for you near bedtime.
Besides our 21 Sleep Hacks to Rest Your Way to a Better Body and Better Health, we also want you to stay away from these sugary, high-carb, and caffeine-filled snacks before bed.
On our list of the 9 healthiest breakfast cereals to enjoy and the 6 worst cereals to avoid at all costs, some of the healthier choices are on the list of bad things to eat before bed. Why? Because even healthy boxed cereals have carbs. They might not be as bad for you as these 10 Breakfast Cereals That Have as Much Sugar as Candy, but you should still be careful with any carbs before bed. When your body is winding down at night, carbs, especially sugars, can cause your blood sugar to rise, which can lead to weight gain that you don’t want.
Red meat — a carnivores best friend and the bane of every vegans existence. People across the country are split on whether they love or hate red meat (read 7 Reasons Why You Shouldnt Eat Red Meat — and 8 Reasons Why You Should) but one thing we should all remember is that eating a burger before bed won’t help you sleep. Actually, burgers usually have a lot of fat, and fat has more calories per gram than protein and/or carbohydrates, with nine calories per gram compared to four calories per gram of protein and/or carbohydrates. If you don’t want to spend the night tossing and turning with stomach and chest pain because of fat, don’t eat burgers before bed.
Dark chocolate can be incredibly beneficial for ones health; this isnt breaking news. But what you might not have known is that cocoa naturally has caffeine in it (about 12 milligrams of caffeine per ounce of chocolate). You probably aren’t drinking a hot cup of coffee before bed, and you should also stay away from dark chocolate. Even though a chocolate cake before bed sounds great, you might want to save your tasty chocolate cake recipe for later in the day.
Remember how sugary cereals shouldn’t be eaten at night? Well, a cup or cone from one of the world’s 30 best ice cream shops might sound good as you walk home late at night from the park or boardwalk, but you should make sure you give your body enough time to digest the high sugar content of it before going to sleep. If you eat a lot of sugar right before bed, it can keep you awake. Also, many popular ice cream brands contain dark chocolate. Pop quiz: Are you supposed to eat dark chocolate before bed? Answer: No!.
Jalapeño Peppers (and Other Spicy Foods)
It’s not bad for you to cover your food in hot sauce, but you should save the Cholula for breakfast and lunch. Spicy foods like Indian food, hot sauce, and peppers like jalapeño (and especially these 11 Spiciest Chile Peppers on Earth) speed up your metabolism. This can make your body temperature rise, which can make it hard to sleep. Additionally, gastrointestinal distress (actually, were adults here — we can call 2 a. m. fits of gas 2 a. m. fits of gas) caused by spicy foods can keep even the most sincere Scoville enthusiast up all night.
Mayo Clinic Minute: Why your body’s not geared for a late-night snack
FAQ
Is it OK to eat shrimp before bed?
When should I not eat shrimp?
Can I eat shrimp from last night?
Is it bad to eat fish late at night?
Is shrimp harmful to health?
Despite its popularity, there are concerns about the contaminants and cholesterol in shrimp. Additionally, there are serious questions about shrimp farming and harvesting that may leave some wondering if shrimp is harmful to health.
What are the side effects of eating shrimp?
Shrimp allergy can be identified from signs and symptoms that appear after consuming shrimp or smelling it, such as itching, the appearance of red plaques on the skin, swelling in the face, especially in the eyes and mouth, and in the throat creating the feeling of a lump in the throat.
Is it bad to eat late at night?
Another reason eating late at night can be unhealthy is because we tend to make less healthy decisions about what we consume. Supan explains, “At night is when we eat the unhealthy stuff — chips, cookies, ice cream — as part of our nighttime relaxation routine. But it’s also mindless eating.
Can you eat cooked shrimp if you’re allergic?
For individuals allergic to shrimp, it’s crucial to avoid anything that could be contaminated with the crustacean, such as fish stocks, fryer oil in restaurants, and seafood flavorings. Avoiding cooked shrimp is recommended. Despite the risks, shrimp has several health benefits. According to the USDA, a 3-ounce portion of cooked shrimp has: 1. It’s low in calories and high in protein.