If sleepless nights sometimes make you crazy, there may be some help as close by as your refrigerator. Many nutritionists agree that certain foods can help you sleep more soundly. First, the obvious – milk – but really most dairy can be put in this category—yogurts, even some soft cheeses. Now to the not so obvious…
Here are the top 5 on my list:
Cherries:
A clear path to a good night’s sleep can be to increase your melatonin intake. Cherries are a natural source of melatonin and, when consumed regularly, help to regulate your sleep cycle.
Almonds:
These guys are loaded with tryptophan, so it might be a good idea to work a handful into your diet every afternoon! Tryptophan is an essential amino acid our bodies use to make serotonin, which is directly linked to our sleep. The higher the levels of serotonin, the better we sleep.
Oatmeal also falls into this category – it’s rich in melatonin.
Bananas:
These may not be the lowest on the calorie scale, but it’s as easy as cutting one in half. Bananas are loaded with potassium and magnesium – try working half a banana into your diet.
Both potassium and magnesium serve as muscle and nerve relaxants.
Hummus:
This addictive Middle Eastern spread is yet another good source of tryptophan. If you often wake up in the middle of the night hungry, try snacking on hummus during the afternoon.
Dark Chocolate (& Wine):
Relax — you CAN eat chocolate day and night! Dark chocolate contains serotonin, which relaxes your body and mind. One bit of bad news, however, as too much of a good thing will keep you up at night. Limit your wine intake to one…maybe two glasses tops. No biggie!
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