In our last post, we shed light on one of the healthiest, most overlooked activities we all need to be doing more of: sleeping.
Something many of us struggle with is sleep, an essential activity that helps our brains and bodies function optimally every day.
Besides supplements like Releaf Theanine, which naturally promotes good quality shut-eye through anxiolysis, there are certain, ‘sleep-friendly’ foods you can eat to further encourage some zzz’s.
This is because a leading cause of sleep trouble is poor diet. So try filling your plate with these natural sleep-inducing foods:
Almonds
Good news. That almond butter addiction of yours is more than okay. It’s beneficial. Almonds are rich in good fats which help regulate your blood sugar levels before bed, so you avoid those late night hunger pangs and sleep better.
Bananas
As well as potassium, a natural muscle relaxer, bananas are brimming with tryptophan, an amino acid that helps you sleep. May we suggest making this Caramelized Banana and Almond Nice Cream to add to your healthy dessert recipe repertoire.
Leafy greens
Is there is anything spinach and kale can’t do? Full of iron and calcium, which your body turns into melatonin, magnesium and potassium, important sleep-inducing minerals, leafy greens are the overachieving veg you need to be adding to your dinner.
Chamomile
An oldie but a goodie, chamomile tea is one of the best things you can put in your body before bed. Calming and relaxing, this sleepy herb acts as a mild (and natural) tranquiliser so make sure you brew a cup to help you wind down in the evenings.
Oats
Usually thought of as an energy-packed breakfast food, oats are actually high in melatonin, making it an ideal supper meal too, (plus it’s super easy and quick to make). Swap out cinnamon and honey for boiled eggs, roasted pumpkin and creamy feta for a delicious and sleepicious supper.
Before you mock us, try this Overnight Oats with Soft-Cooked Egg and Miso-Braised Kale.
Brown Rice
A balanced dinner that’s full of protein, which releases tryptophan, a sleep-inducer, is key to a good night’s rest. Eating a complex carb with protein helps the tryptophan to pass through the brain barrier and get to the neurotransmitter, so that the amino acid can do its sleep thing.
Warm milk
Soothing, calming and more comforting than your unicorn-patterned slippers, warm milk offers a good balance of protein and complex carbs, keeping your system comfortable and lulling you into a sleepy state. The ultimate drink to sip before bed? We say Moon Milk.
Fennel
Good for the gut and digestion, fennel helps your body transition from a wakeful state to a relaxed, sleep-ready one. Not a fennel aficionado? Try this Honeydew and Fennel Salad with Basil or Peaches and Shaved Fennel Salad with Red Pepper as an easy way to get this flowering plant into your diet.
Content from
Bonappetit.com
