Bedtime Snacks: The Best And Worst Late-Night Foods

The right foods can help improve your night’s rest and help create a good night’s sleep – here is what you should eat.

Five great bedtime snacks:

1) Bananas

While bananas have a well-earned reputation for boosting energy levels, they also make an excellent late-night treat. They have high levels of sleep-encouraging serotonin and melatonin. Bananas also deliver plenty of muscle-relaxing magnesium.

2) Almonds

Almonds also deliver a great dose of magnesium. They’re also packed with healthy fats and tryptophan. Margo notes that the magnesium content in almonds naturally brings down nerve and muscle function and promotes a steadier heart rhythm.

3) Honey

Taking a teaspoon of honey before bed is an excellent idea. It suppresses orexin production, making us less alert, and stimulates the brain’s production of melatonin. That signals your body that it’s time to sleep.

4) Oats

Oats kickstart the body’s insulin production and lead to a natural rise in blood sugar. They also deliver a ton of useful nutrients for boosting melatonin production: amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

5) CBD

CBD oil can be a big help if you’re looking to get a better night’s rest. The oil is renowned for a number of uses and you can see more about it here.

These items and a new Sears mattress will help you improve the quality of your sleep no end.

Foods and drinks to avoid at bedtime:

1) Alcoholic Drinks

Many people find a single drink helpful in falling asleep. Steer clear of that glass of wine, though! Digesting alcohol will actually keep your body from falling into a full, deep sleep cycle.

2) Spicy Foods

Have you ever experienced a little digestive regret following a spicy Mexican meal? The potential for indigestion is only one of the drawbacks to eating spicy foods. The capsaicin found in chili peppers and other spicy foods upset your body’s ability to regulate its temperature. That, in turn, produces a restless night’s sleep.

3) Cheese

It’s no coincidence that cheese is associated with strange dreams. Hard cheeses deliver potent amounts of tyramine, an amino acid that makes the brain more active. No matter how tasty and tempting you find late-night cheese, steer clear if you want to fall asleep quickly.

 

4) Fatty Foods

Foods with large amounts of fat present digestive challenges. They may cause heartburn, and the increased activity in your stomach will make sleeping harder.

 

5) Coffee & Other Caffeinated Drinks

 

This one should be obvious. Caffeine is a potent stimulant and it can linger in your body for hours. Avoid caffeinated drinks to ensure you can drop off to sleep quickly.