Nights can become frustrating. Especially when you've been up and about all day and hoping for the day to be over so you can catch some late night slumber, just to hop into bed at night and can't get to sleep after tossing and turning and counting a thousand sheep. The food you eat can either keep you awake or get you fast asleep quicker than you can say digest! Certain foods are scientifically approved sleep inducers while some are the exact opposite.
If you are having trouble sleeping, a good point to start will be eating healthier just before bed time. This will actually help you sleep faster as snacks that are high in sugar keep you awake. This is because they cause fluctuations in your blood sugar level. So instead of grabbing a box of biscuits or a bag of cookies, replace those sweet sugary foods with some healthier options like bananas.
The best snacks for bed are actually snacks that contain an amino acid called tryptophan. This amino acid boosts the bodies manufacturing of serotonin, a brain chemical that induces sleep. Serotonin is said to work way more efficiently with carbohydrates, so try a tryptophan- carbohydrate combo so you can hit the zzzz's much better.
Good slumber foods might include: whole grain combos such as with milk and cereal, scrambled eggs, a peanut butter sandwich, low fat milk or cheese, sea food and poultry.
Avoid spicy foods at night. The spices cause hurt burns which can make sleeping impossible. Also, stimulants are a no-no. Foods that contain stimulants such as caffeine or alcohol will cause plenty of those midnight wake ups. Drinking lots of fluids is bad as it causes plenty of midnight bathroom breaks.
A recommended bed time snack is in the form of a complex carbohydrate, some protein and just the right amount of calcium. Sleep tight.
