7 Foods to Help You on Sleepless Nights ...

Eliza

7 Foods to Help You on Sleepless Nights ...
7 Foods to Help You on Sleepless Nights ...

If you’re like me, sometimes sleep is elusive, but instead of tossing and turning for hours, reach for foods to help you on sleepless nights. Some foods have the power to help ease you into slumber, if you eat them before it’s time to hit the sack. Hey, it gives you license to have a snack before bed! I’ll share my tasty list of foods to help you on sleepless nights.

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1. Milk

Milk Dairy foods contain tryptophan, a substance that makes you sleepy. This makes it a perfect choice for a midnight snack if you can’t seem to fall asleep. Try a bowl of cereal with skim milk or yogurt with a handful of berries. String cheese is another great choice on the list of foods to help you on sleepless nights, but won’t make you so full you’ll be too uncomfortable to sleep.

2. Bananas

Bananas Maybe you don’t consider a banana when it comes to looking for a nighttime nibble, but perhaps you should. Packed with potassium and magnesium, they can help your muscles relax. They also have tryptophan, a known sleep inducer. Eat a plain banana or add it to a smoothie. In no time, you’ll feel drowsy and ready to answer the call of your bed.

Frequently asked questions

3. Nuts

Nuts Many kinds of nuts, including almonds, contain tryptophan, so they’re great if you’re having a hard time falling asleep. Try an apple with peanut butter or a handful of almonds with some cheese. Cashews also work well and taste great too! Just be sure to take it easy on the nuts because they do contain more calories than other nighttime snack foods.

4. Pretzels

Pretzels Not only do they taste delicious, but pretzels contain carbohydrates, which speed the production of serotonin, a sleep hormone. The trick is not to eat them right before bed because carbs give your body energy. However, if you have a small bowl of pretzels a few hours before you hit the sheets, you may have an easier time slipping into slumber.

5. Turkey

Turkey You know that sleepy feeling you get after a huge Thanksgiving dinner? Thank the huge heap of turkey, which contains tryptophan and can make you drowsy after eating it. You probably aren’t going to roast a bird before bed, but if you’re having trouble drifting off, have a slice of turkey with a cheese or make yourself a turkey sandwich.

6. Oatmeal

Oatmeal The magic of oatmeal lies in its soothing warmth. A bowl of hot oatmeal fills your belly and gives you comfort, which makes it perfect for a sleepless night. Try it with a sliced banana to really boost your sleepy feelings. It also tastes great topped with chopped nuts, blueberries, milk, a sprinkle of cinnamon or a tiny bit of honey.

7. Hummus

Hummus Chickpeas, the base ingredient in hummus, are yet another food that gives you a dose of tryptophan. Carbs helps get the tryptophan to your brain, so dipping crackers or pita bread into hummus is an ideal way to start feeling sleepy. If plain hummus is too bland for you, try flavored versions, which range from garlic to roasted red pepper to artichoke. Dip and dunk, then head to bed for a great night’s sleep.

There’s nothing more frustrating than a sleepless night. I don’t like to rely on pills, so a quick snack is a tasty way to be ready to sleep. What’s your go-to food for getting to sleep?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

I love all of these foods

Maja - Serotonin helps produce melatonin, so increasing serotonin production does help make you sleepy.

Seratonin is not a sleep hormone, melatonin is.

I always thought bananas and nuts were supposed to give you energy?

Actually for the L-tryptophan, the stuff that makes you tired, in the turkey to actually make you tired is for you to eat the whole turkey. This is because there is not enough tryptophan in that one piece of turkey to make you really tired