Many people don't think eating before bed is bad for the body, especially women who are conscious of their figure, who feel that eating before bed is not easy to digest and will affect their figure. In fact, some foods eaten before bed can help relax before sleep and improve sleep quality. 1. Banana
Bananas are actually "sleeping pills" wrapped in peels. Besides being rich in serotonin and N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, they are also rich in magnesium, which can relax muscles.
2. Chrysanthemum tea
Chrysanthemum tea is the first choice for a pre-bedtime beverage mainly because of its gentle sedative effect, making it the best natural remedy for calming the mind. 3. Warm milk
The saying that drinking a warm glass of milk before bed helps with sleep has long been well-known because milk contains tryptophan, which can have a sedative effect like an amino acid. And calcium helps the brain make full use of this tryptophan. Pouring the warm milk into a bottle will bring you a warm feeling of returning to childhood, gently telling you, "Relax, everything is fine." 4. Honey
A large amount of sugar has an excitatory effect, but a small amount of glucose can timely prompt the brain to secrete orexin, a newly discovered neurotransmitter related to thinking and response. So, adding a few drops of honey to warm milk or vanilla tea is also helpful for relaxation before sleep. 5. Potato
A small roasted potato won't ruin your digestive system; on the contrary, it can clear the acid compounds that hinder tryptophan's hypnotic effect. If you mix it with warm milk to make mashed potatoes, the effect will be even better! 6. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a very valuable pre-bedtime food, rich in N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine. A small bowl of cereal cooked with a little honey mixed in is just perfect. Try chewing it with big bites, enough to fill your cavities. 7. Almonds
Almonds contain both tryptophan and magnesium, a good remedy for relaxing muscles. So eating a small amount of this heart-healthy nut is another clever trick for inducing sleep! 8. Flaxseed
Flaxseed can be called a "natural mood-boosting food," rich in Omega-3 and fatty acids. When you encounter obstacles in life and feel down, try sprinkling two large tablespoons of flaxseed on your calming oatmeal; it might have an unexpected effect. 9. Whole wheat bread
A slice of toast, paired with tea and honey, can help the body release insulin, which allows tryptophan to reach the brain and be converted into serotonin. It's like someone whispering in your ear: "It's time to go to sleep." 10. Turkey
Every Thanksgiving, people can take a frag nap, all thanks to turkey, which is considered the best source of tryptophan. But this is just a modern myth. Tryptophan starts to work when your stomach is basically empty rather than full, and there's a considerable amount of carbohydrates rather than a large amount of protein. Late at night, placing one or two thin slices of turkey on a few slices of whole wheat bread might have you starting your sleep journey right in the kitchen.
If none of the foods above can help you fall asleep, maybe you need to check your sleep habits to find out what is keeping you so excited late at night.