Finding yourself tossing and turning all night? Can’t sleep because your mind won’t shut off? One recent survey by The Better Sleep Council found that almost fifty percent of Americans admit they don’t get enough sleep but don’t take any action about it.
One thing to consider is that the source of your restlessness in bed may have less to do with your daily stressors and more to do with what foods you’re consuming during the day. The antioxidants you ingest may be a big factor in determining how many hours of sleep you get every night. Here’s a list of five foods packed with the antioxidants needed to have you counting sheep in no time:
Oatmeal
Normally associated with breakfast, oatmeal isn’t just a nutritional way to wake up in the morning. It’s packed with nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, and can be just what the doctor ordered for a peaceful slumber. Be sure to avoid mixing with sweeteners and sugar before bed, however.
Cherries
Cherries are one of the few natural sources of melatonin, a hormone in the body that produces sleepiness, monitors sleep regulation and stimulates dreams. Eating just a handful of these delicious fruits an hour before going to bed might help you achieve that solid eight hours you’re looking for. While cherries are often out of season, drinking a glass of cherry juice can produce the same effects.
Bananas
Peel yourself a fulfilling night’s rest with a banana, an amazing source of potassium and magnesium. These two nutrients work as natural muscle relaxants. Bananas are also packed with tryptophan, which is a sleep-inducing amino acid that eventually is transformed by the body into serotonin, a neurotransmitter that boosts relaxation. Tryptophan typically takes an hour to reach your brain, so keep that in mind when considering a bedtime snack.
Almonds
Protein is another source of tryptophan, and almonds are a great way to reach your protein requirement without overeating. Spreading almond butter on a slice of toast is a light protein snack that’s filled with enough carbohydrates necessary to catch the sleep you need.
Jasmine rice
According to a study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating a bowl of Jasmine rice four hours before your normal bedtime will significantly reduce your chances of sleep disturbance. Foods such as Jasmine rice have a high glycemic-index that helps measure a food’s impact on blood sugar levels, and also provide healthy doses of tryptophan and serotonin.
