We’ve all had those nights of tossing and turning for hours before finally falling asleep. Those nights are certainly unpleasant when one has to awake early on the next morning. Well, I’ve posted in the past about how music can aid in falling asleep, and how reducing your exposure to light in the hour before bed can also benefit you. I have also ranted about eating well and I’ve given tips and lists of what food to eat and what foods might be best during the winter time. So I decided to combine the two and figure out which foods might be best to consume before going to bed.
1. Milk (or other various dairy products) is rich with calcium and research shows that calcium deficiency can make it hard to fall asleep at night.
2. Fish contains vitamin B6 which aids in creating melatonin.
3. Poultry, because like most Americans know, one unbuttons their pants and takes a nap after feasting upon a feast of poultry (i.e. Thanksgiving).
4. Cherries contain melatonin in them, so munching on a few of those, or drinking some tart cherry juice, should get the job done.
5. Fortified Cereal because carbohydrates are great for sleep.
6. Bananas contain muscle relaxants magnesium and potassium, which help you, well, relax.
7. Sweet potatoes contain both carbohydrates and potassium.
8. Tea, when decaffeinated, is great for hitting the sack because some blends, such as chamomile, can increase drowsiness.
Now that we have gone over some of the better foods to snack on before bed or possibly incorporate into dinner, lets review some of the foods that can keep you up at night.
1. Anything too spicy, like salsa or curry, can keep you awake at night, burning for something to drink.
2. Chocolate contains both high calories and caffeine, which are both counterproductive in the sleep process.
3. Coffee, even when decaffeinated contains some amount of caffeine and also dehydrates ones body to a degree, making falling asleep a task.
4. Alcohol disturbs the body’s natural sleep cycle.
5. Fat, in fatty foods such as beef or pork, are terrible for sleep, and they can totally kill your vibe, and figure.
So there you have it, a list of foods that are both nutritious and delicious, and great sleep aids. You also have a mental picture of what to refrain from before bedtime, and in some cases, altogether. Now that winter is coming into full swing it might help to cuddle up next to the fire with a hot cup of tea, or get cozy underneath a warm wool comforter with a soothing glass of milk.