Learn about the Right Foods to Eat Before Bed

Learn about the Right Foods to Eat Before Bed
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Sleep is Important for Optimum Health

Being able to identify the right foods to eat before bed is crucial in order to maintain good sleeping habits and a healthy, active lifestyle. In fact, those that do not get enough sleep at night regularly actually put themselves at a higher risk for weight gain, insomnia, and other health problems such as heart disease.

A full meal should never be consumed right before bed, because all that food needs to be digested and can inhibit your ability to sleep, keeping you up for hours before finally dozing off. Make sure complete meals are consumed at least three hours before bedtime to maximize the chances of having a nice, peaceful night’s rest. However, eating the right snacks before bed time can help to put you to sleep faster, help you stay sleeping throughout the night, and can even help improve the way you feel after you wake up in the morning.

Bananas - Eat Right Before Bed

They are easy on the stomach, and contain plenty of potassium, which many individuals do not get enough of in the first place. This light snack keeps one full throughout the night without the heavy feeling of having eaten an entire meal right before bed. Bananas help with digestion, and easily be turned into a bedtime treat by simply freezing a few cut up pieces for a couple of hours before bed.

Tea

Tea

Although you want to stay away from green tea and other caffeinated brews for at least three hours before bed (even up to eight hours if you are sensitive to caffeine), an herbal tea could be the perfect way to calm down, relax, and get ready for a peaceful slumber. The antioxidants found in herbal teas can go to work while you rest as well, helping you to feel even more refreshed come morning time. Chamomile, peppermint, and fruit flavored teas are all great options.

Milk

Milk

Warm or cold, a glass of milk helps provide additional calcium, protein, and a chemical called tryptophan which can help reduce stress and anxiety. This usually results in a more relaxed outlook when it is time to get to sleep and helps to provide the body with enough energy throughout the night so it does not have to work as hard. If you are not into drinking milk, you can get the same benefits from having an ounce of cheese or a yogurt cup.

Half a Peanut Butter Sandwich is Good Food to Eat Before Bed

whole wheat list

Whole grains, such as those found in whole wheat bread, are one of the right foods to eat before bed because they contain carbohydrates that are useful to keep you asleep throughout the night, and the tryptophan in peanuts encourages sleep (which was already discussed). This healthy combination improves your overall stress and anxiety levels before bed. One slice of bread and a tablespoon of peanut butter does not seem like much, but it can go a long way toward helping you get the sleep you have been striving for.

References

Armannd “What to Eat Before Bed” Retreived June 1st, 2010

HelpGuide “Tips for Getting Better Sleep” Retreived June 1st, 2010

Image Credits

Flickr/Public Domain

Wikimedia/Public Domain