Bedtime Snacks
July 30, 2010,
By Catherine Couretas
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Certain foods can help you sleep better, and it might not be the foods you assume will help out. Know what you should and shouldn’t eat for a more peaceful night.
Foods With Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid for humans. It can be found in a limited number of foods such as dairy, oats, bananas, poultry, and honey.
Carbohydrates
Go ahead and eat ‘em. Too many can be poor for your health, but in moderation they’re just fine. Combined with dairy, carbohydrates will have you sleeping much better. Try cheese and crackers or cereal and milk.
Say No to Fatty Foods
This may be obvious, but avoiding them really does help your sleep. Yes, even earlier in the day. Regardless of when you eat fatty foods, they lead to weight gain and can disrupt your sleep cycles.
Avoid Hiding Caffeine
Soda and coffee aren’t the only products with caffeine. Be sure to avoid chocolate, tea and even decaffeinated coffee beginning in the mid-afternoon so they won’t keep you up late at night. Also make note of whether or not any medications you’re taking contain caffeine. If so, check with your doctor and see if you can take them earlier in the day.
Alcohol Before Bed
Though a glass of wine might put you to sleep right away, your night probably won’t continue that way. Alcohol is associated with headaches and even nightmares. If you decide you want the glass of wine anyway, enjoy it alongside a glass of water to prevent restlessness at night.
How About a Glass of Water?
Fluids before bed in general can be detrimental, especially if you have a weak bladder. If you’re waking up in the night to go to the bathroom, avoid drinking fluids within 2 hours of going to bed, save for one glass of water you might want by your bed.
Bedtime Snacks
If you’re having trouble sleeping, a late night snack isn’t a bad thing. Big snacks can do a number on your digestive system, so keep it small.
Remember, when it comes to foods you should avoid, don’t think that eating them earlier in the day won’t affect how you sleep at night. Be conscious of what you eat and if you’re still not sleeping well, talk with your doctor.
Catherine Couretas is an intern at Barefoot Proximity and a regular contributor to ManoftheHouse.com.
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