Eat Your Way to Better Sleep

Jul 9, 2014

We’ve all heard the expression “You are what you eat.”. Well, we decided to take it one step further by saying that, you sleep how you eat!

That’s right folks, if you eat junk food close to bedtime, it increases your heart rate, metabolism, and gets your digestive system active enough to keep you awake much longer than normal.

Are there foods I CAN eat before bed that will not interfere with my sleep?

So glad you asked! Yes, there are certain foods you can eat if you are hungry before bed. Here is a list of the best foods for you to munch on before hitting the hay:

Cherries: Cherries are one of the few natural foods to contain melatonin, the chemical that helps control our body’s internal clock.

Milk: Milk contains the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to the brain chemical serotonin.

Jasmine Rice: Jasmine rice ranks high on the glycemic index, meaning the body digests it slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the bloodstream.

Fortified Cereal: Carbs in general are good for sleep but it’s not a great idea to binge on a box of cookies before bedtime (or anytime).   Instead, try a bowl of Kashi or shredded wheat, which contain “good” or complex carbs.

Bananas: Bananas help promote sleep because they contain the natural muscle-relaxants magnesium and potassium. They’re also carbs which will help make you sleepy as well.

Turkey: Like milk, turkey contains tryptophan, a chemical that can make people doze off in front of the TV after Thanksgiving dinner

Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are a sleeper’s dream. Not only do they provide sleep-promoting complex carbohydrates, they also contain that muscle-relaxant potassium.

Here are a few items you should avoid before bed: