Many people believe that eating before bed is bad for your health, especially for women who are conscious of their figure. They feel that eating before bed is hard to digest and can affect their body shape. In fact, some foods eaten before bed can actually help with relaxation before sleep and improve sleep quality.
1. Banana
A banana is essentially a "sleeping pill" in a peel. Besides being rich in serotonin and melatonin, it also contains magnesium, which helps relax muscles. 2. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a top choice for a pre-bedtime beverage mainly due to its gentle sedative effect, making it the best natural remedy for calming the mind and spirit. 3. Warm Milk
The idea that a warm glass of milk before bed aids sleep is well-known because milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that has a sedative effect. Calcium helps the brain make the most of this tryptophan. Sipping warm milk from a bottle can also evoke a comforting, childlike feeling, gently telling you to "relax, everything is fine."
4. Honey
While a large amount of sugar can be stimulating, a small amount of glucose can signal the brain to release orexin, a newly discovered neurotransmitter related to cognitive responses. Therefore, adding a few drops of honey to warm milk or vanilla tea can also help with pre-bedtime relaxation. 5. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great choice before bed, as it is rich in melatonin. A small bowl of cereal with a little honey mixed in is perfect. Try chewing it heartily; it's enough to fill your cavities. 6. Potato
A small baked potato won't disrupt your digestive system; on the contrary, it can clear out the acidic compounds that interfere with tryptophan's sleep-inducing effects. If you mash it with warm milk, the effect will be even better!
7. Almonds
Almonds contain both tryptophan and magnesium, a great muscle relaxant. 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 booster," rich in Omega-3 and fatty acids. When you encounter obstacles in life and feel down, try sprinkling two 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 a whisper in your ear: "It's time to go to sleep." 10. Turkey
Every Thanksgiving, people enjoy a pleasant nap, all thanks to turkey, which is considered one of the best sources of tryptophan. However, this is just a modern myth. Tryptophan starts to work when your stomach is mostly empty rather than full, and you have a moderate amount of carbohydrates rather than a large amount of protein. Late at night, placing one or two thin slices of turkey on some whole wheat bread might have you starting your journey to sleep right in the kitchen.
If none of the foods above can help you fall asleep, perhaps you need to examine your sleep habits to figure out what is keeping you so excited late into the night.