The latest in foodie news, events, and products – including a spicy means of promotion by Grill’d and The Inspired Unemployed, and the six worst habits for sleep.

Aussie comedy icons launch an OnlyFans with Grill’d

Here’s one you didn’t think you would read today: Aussie comedy group, The Inspired Unemployed, have teamed up with Grill’d to launch an OnlyFans. The goal line is to promote and celebrate the arrival of ‘Impossible plant-based burgers’, so fans can check out their new “meat”.

“We get that when people think of plant-based burgers, they think of dry, bland meat. We wanted to show everyone that the new Grill’d Impossible burgers are just as juicy, saucy and meaty as ever”, said The Inspired Unemployed.

So… if you want to see the series of “saucy and sizzling” clips, they can be accessed at onlyfans.com/grilldburgers from 9 November. If you would NOT like to see Jack Steele and Matt Ford posing with not-meat patties in silk boxers and red-light rooms, you can still order Grill’d plant-based burgers in well-known menu options like Simply Grill’d, Vegan Cheeseburger, Garden Goodness, and the Australia burger. As Doja Cat once said, what a time to be alive.

Why you should stop snacking before bed

Late-night snacks and afternoon coffees are among the self-sabotaging habits robbing Australians of valuable sleep, a new survey of 1050 Aussies has revealed. The study, commissioned by leading weighted blanket brand Calming Blankets, found that 45 per cent of Aussies have poor night-time habits that adversely impact their sleep. Forty per cent of respondents said they engage in these bad habits every night, while around 22 per cent said they engage in bad bedtime habits at the more acceptable rate of two to three nights a week. Dr Carmel Harrington, the consulted sleep expert, explained the worst habits for sleep, and how to best curb them for better overall health.

Habit #1 Late-night snacks or meals – Guilty party: 27 per cent. “Refrain from full meals within three hours of sleep time. A high calorie load can make sleep elusive and as the body is busy digesting, it can cause sleep to be fragmented and may prevent you from getting deep sleep. “This is especially important as we get older, as our metabolic rate slows, and it can take longer to digest a meal.”

Habit #2 Caffeine intake before bed – Guilty party: 22 per cent. “The chemical properties of caffeine can wreak havoc on sleep if taken late in the day. Maximum caffeine effect is experienced one hour after drinking it, at which point it peaks in our blood. “After this, depending on an individual’s metabolic rate, it can take up to eight hours to leave the body. For those who want to get their sleep back on track, avoid consuming caffeine after midday.”         

Habit #3 Alcohol consumption – Guilty party: 20 per cent. “It is a common myth that alcohol helps sleep – in fact, alcohol is a sleep stealer. Alcohol can have an initial sedating effect, but it is rapidly metabolised and after four to five hours, minimal blood alcohol will remain where the body can experience ‘rebound wakefulness’. “Alcohol plays a major role in nearly 10 per cent of sleep troubles, so while the occasional late night of drinking is fine, frequent night caps will have a detrimental impact on sleep.”   

Our non-food related bad sleep habits are just as destructive, the study shows, if not more.

Habit #4 Screen time – Guilty party: 59 per cent. “When watching screens, we are psychologically stimulated, as exposure to bright light suppresses the release of melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleep regulation.

“Place limits on your use of devices at night and switch off devices at least one hour before bed.”

Habit #5 Late work or study – Guilty party: 20 per cent. Sleep quality is often dependent on how the day is spent, and if it is filled with stress from an overloaded work or study schedule that progresses into nighttime, sleep can be impacted.

“Deal with the issues of the day in the early evening by spending up to 20 minutes writing down concerns and solutions. Then, close the book and put it away. Those frequently working late could consider having a transparent conversation with their workplace to adjust their workload.”

Habit #6 Inconsistent bedtimes – Guilty party: 38 per cent: “Our body craves routine, and inconsistent wake-up times can cause significant sleep issues, as our wake-up time determines when we are able to go to sleep that night. When we wake, we set our body clock rhythm for the next 24 hours, including our sleep rhythm. For adults, this is about 16 hours after waking. If you wake late in the morning, at around 10am, you may not be able to fall asleep until about 2am the following morning.

“Engaging in some of these habits occasionally and treating yourself once or twice a week is okay,” said Dr Harrington. “However, it is not ideal to do so frequently as it can impact the various stages of sleep.”

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