Avoid these sleep-robbing foods

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- If you are struggling with sleep -- you may want to take a closer look at your diet. It could be robbing you of critical ZZZ's.

The website Eatclean.com has a list of which foods you should avoid before bedtime.

First, avoid slow-digesting vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower before going to bed. They're loaded with insoluble fiber, so your body may still be working to digest them when you go to bed. Experts say eat them several hours before bedtime.

Next on the list is tomato sauce. Yes, it is healthy for you, but not for sleep. It's acidic and can lead to heartburn and indigestion. So, if you are going to have it, again eat it at least three hours before bed.

You'll also want to skip the dark chocolate. It can be loaded with caffeine, some with as much as a cup of coffee.

Cured meats and aged cheeses can also disrupt your sleep. They contain a preservative that releases a chemical in your body to make you feel alert.

And on the subject of meat -- red meat can be a sleep disruptor. That's because it can take a long time to digest. And that can keep you awake.

And lastly, you've likely heard this one, spicy foods - it can lead to heartburn.

Also, dieticians say they can raise your body temperature, therefore also making it tougher to sleep.