Can't sleep? It just might be what you eat before going to bed.
Here are 5 foods you should consider eating to have a great night's sleep (and 5 to avoid).
#HealthyLiving
1. Milk
Milk contains the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to the brain chemical serotonin. Although the topic is a controversial one, some people believe that tryptophan and serotonin might make it easier to sleep.
2. 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. Instead, try a bowl of cereal which contains “good” or complex carbs. Cereal also goes well with milk which has its own sleep-promoting qualities.
3. Bananas
Bananas help promote sleep because they contain natural muscle-relaxants magnesium and potassium. They’re also carbs which will help make you sleepy as well.
4. Turkey
Like milk, turkey contains tryptophan, a chemical that can make people sleep.
5. Sweet potato
Sweet potatoes are a sleeper’s dream. Not only do they provide sleep-promoting complex carbohydrates, they also contain that muscle-relaxant potassium. Other good sources of potassium include regular potatoes.
Now, here are 5 foods to avoid before bedtime.
1. Dark chocolate
Chocolate contains not only calories but caffeine, especially dark chocolate.
2. Coffee
Coffee contains caffeine, which is a central nervous stimulant. Drinking it too close to bedtime will keep you up at night.
3. Wine
Alcohol of any kind is “terrible” for sleep because it metabolizes quickly in your system and causes you to wake up multiple times during the night.
4. High-Fat Foods
Research shows that people who often eat these foods gain weight and their sleep cycles tend to get disrupted. Why? A heavy meal activates digestion, which can lead to nighttime trips to the bathroom.
5. Spicy Foods
Lying down with after a spicy meal an make you uncomfortable since the digestive system slows down when you sleep. It can also lead to heartburn. If you must indulge, finish it at least 4 hours before bedtime.
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