39 mins ago
Anahat Singh Defends Her Six-Piece Bedtime Chocolate Ritual
Anahat Singh is a top Indian squash player who likes eating six pieces of chocolate before bed.
She says she has done this for 18 years.
Her mother wanted her to stop before the Asian Games.
Anahat asked her nutritionist for help and chose to keep the routine.
A nutrition expert says a small amount of chocolate is not always harmful for an active person.
However, chocolate can contain sugar, fat and caffeine.
These ingredients may disturb sleep or upset some people’s stomachs.
Athletes should focus more on enough food, protein, carbohydrates, water and sleep than on copying one person’s habit.
Healthier bedtime choices can include yoghurt with fruit, milk with a banana, or nuts and fruit.
Anahat Singh says she eats six pieces of chocolate before bed every night.
She told Raj Shamani’s podcast that the routine has continued for 18 years.
Singh resisted her mother’s request to stop eating chocolate before the Asian Games.
A nutritionist says a small portion may fit a healthy, active person’s diet, but benefits depend on the chocolate type and amount.
Nighttime chocolate may cause sleep problems, heartburn or digestive discomfort in some people because of sugar, fat and caffeine.
- Who
- Anahat Singh, an Indian squash player, and Edwina Raj, a clinical nutrition and dietetics specialist.
- What
- Singh discussed her habit of eating six pieces of chocolate before bed and the possible benefits and downsides of the routine.
- Where
- The comments were made on Raj Shamani’s podcast, The Figuring It Out Co.; the nutritionist quoted works at Aster CMI Hospital in Bangalore.
- When
- The timing of the podcast discussion and article is not specified; Singh said the habit has continued for 18 years.
- Why
- Singh considers the chocolate routine important, while the nutritionist explains that its effects depend on the chocolate, portion size and individual response.
Singh’s Personal Routine
Nutritionist’s Caution
Whether the habit should continue
Singh’s Personal Routine
Singh says the six-piece routine is important to her and refuses to reduce it, even after her mother raised concerns before the Asian Games.
Nutritionist’s Caution
Edwina Raj says a small portion can generally fit a balanced diet if it does not affect sleep, weight, digestion or overall nutrition, but athletes should not assume another athlete’s routine is right for them.
Chocolate and athletic performance
Singh’s Personal Routine
Singh continues the habit as part of her long-standing bedtime routine.
Nutritionist’s Caution
Raj says there is no evidence that eating six pieces every night is specially required for better sleep, recovery or athletic performance.
Possible nighttime effects
Singh’s Personal Routine
Singh described the routine without reporting problems in the article.
Nutritionist’s Caution
Raj says caffeine and other cocoa stimulants may interfere with sleep in sensitive people, while some individuals may experience heartburn or digestive discomfort.
Key facts
- Bedtime routine
- Six pieces of chocolate before sleep every night
- Habit duration
- Singh says she has eaten chocolate for the last 18 years
- Athletic background
- She recently represented the country at the Asian Games and became the first Indian to win the Junior World Championships
- Possible benefit
- A few pieces may provide carbohydrates and calories contributing to overall energy intake
- Potential concerns
- Chocolate may contain sugar, fat and caffeine, which can affect sleep or digestion
- Suggested alternatives
- Yoghurt with fruit, milk with a banana, or nuts and fruit
- Expert guidance
- Athletes should prioritize adequate calories, protein, carbohydrates, hydration and sleep
Quotes
Anahat Singh
Indian squash player and Junior World Championships winner
“I’ve had chocolates for the last 18 years of my life. My nutritionist says, ‘Okay, can we bring it down to five pieces, four pieces. I was like, ‘No, I’m sticking to my six pieces and you can change anything else about my day, but this doesn’t change’.”
indianexpress.com
“caffeine and other stimulants naturally present in cocoa can interfere with sleep in sensitive people”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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