A night of peaceful, deep, quality sleep is a blessing that only the sleep deprived and insomniacs can truly appreciate. To have not just one, but plenty of your nights filled with rest and good sleep, try adding the following foods to your diet.
Chamomile tea is a popular sleep-inducing tea that helps eliminate stress and anxiety. Before you go to bed, take a moment to sip a warm cup of chamomile herbal tea to relax, unwind and de-stress. Be sure to dim the lights, and turn off all electronics at least a half hour before bed.
2. Pistachios:
Pistachios are not only tasty, but they can help sleep. They have magnesium, protein, and vitamin B6, which play a major role in inducing sleep. Consuming a small handful of pistachios before going to bed can help stabilize your blood sugar as well.
4. Tart cherry juice:
This juice contains high levels of melatonin, which is responsible for inducing sleep in your body. It can improve the quality of your sleep by regulating your body’s sleep cycles. A study conducted by Louisiana State University found that by insomniacs who drank tart cherry juice increased their sleep time by 90 minutes!
5. Bananas:
This fruit is a powerhouse of magnesium and potassium, which serve as natural sleep aids for your body. If you are feeling wide awake late into the night, try half a banana to get yourself to sleep. Bananas are high in sugar so start with the smallest amount possible.
6. Walnuts:
Walnuts contain an amino acid called tryptophan that helps induce and enhance sleep. This amino acid is responsible for the production of melatonin and serotonin, which also improve the quality of our sleep by regulating the sleep cycles.
7. Pumpkin seeds:
A cup of pumpkin seeds contains around 420 mg of magnesium, which is the daily recommendation of the National Health Institute. Magnesium is also a sleep-inducing agent for your body. If you cannot find pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds or sunflower seeds are great substitutions.
The search for the elusive “good night’s sleep” can be frustrating and exhausting. Before you reach for an over-the-counter sleep aid, try some of the natural remedies to get your body on the right path to sound sleep!
Check out my Metagenics store where you can try Benesom or Myocalm PM for a restful night sleep! Just click on “supplements” in the menu bar.
Best in health,
Dr. Jen
