Photo: Lukas

Is tomato good for sleep?

10. Tomatoes. Red tomatoes offer that sleep-inducing super hormone melatonin. Gorin suggests doubling up the melatonin by drizzling cherry or grape tomatoes with olive oil, which also provides melatonin.

epicurious.com - 18 Foods That Help You Sleep Better | Epicurious

What lowers A1C the most?

Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to lower your A1C level. Exercise is one of the best ways to lower blood sugar. A single session of exercise...

Last updated Jan 2, 2021

Can I eat sausage on keto?

When it comes to keto diet foods, people rely on protein-rich foods such as nuts, cheese and meats. Sausage is made from pork or chicken. Thus far,...

Last updated Aug 28, 2018

Promotion

According to the CDC, more than a third of Americans don't get enough sleep. Whether that’s because they just stay up too late or from the stress of daily news, something is keeping us up at night. And it could be what we’re eating. I mean, everyone knows that drinking coffee or eating sugar before bed is a bad idea, but that occasional midnight pizza slice probably isn’t helping either. So rather than reach for that slice, I turned to four nutritionists to hear more about the foods that help you sleep better. "We’re looking for foods that are calming on the body, rather than stimulating. Foods that either help us to fall asleep faster or improve the quality of our sleep," says Lindsey Pine, a registered dietitian and owner of TastyBalance Nutrition. Melatonin (the hormone that helps regulate your body's sleep-wake cycle) and serotonin (a chemical that's a natural mood stabilizer) are two key neurotransmitters vital for falling asleep and improved quality of sleep, says Pine. In order to trigger sleep and calm, Pine and the other experts I spoke to said to choose foods with melatonin, tryptophan (an essential amino acid that helps your body to create melatonin and serotonin), and Vitamin B6 (which also helps make melatonin). No matter what you decide to eat, keep it small (aka avoid a massive bowl of popcorn with your binge TV sesh). "Aim for no more than 200 calories," says Amy Gorin, registered dietitian and owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition. "Eating too much late at night could interfere with your sleep."

Here are the top foods that help you sleep better:

1. Almonds

According to registered dietitian Chelsea Elkin, magnesium-rich almonds are a great snack to help with sleep. "One ounce of almonds contains 80 milligrams of magnesium, or about 20 percent of your daily value, and research shows that magnesium helps to support sleep and muscle relaxation," says Elkin. "I like to have a handful of almonds before bed with a cup of chamomile tea, which also promotes drowsiness." Not a fan of raw, unsalted almonds? Elkin suggests spreading almond butter on a rice cake or topping a sliced banana with almond butter for a sleep-inducing pre-bedtime snack.

2. Bananas

Can I drink keto coffee twice a day?

If weight loss is your goal, ideally you want to aim for 1-2 cups of Keto Coffee per day. Keto Coffee is a great tool to help you achieve your...

Last updated Sep 27, 2020

What color is your pee in ketosis?

Acetoacetate levels can be measured through your urine with a ketone urine strip, which turns various shades of pink or purple depending on the...

Last updated Dec 23, 2020

Promotion

Elkins also suggests bananas as a pre-bed snack. "Bananas are rich in both potassium and magnesium, which can help to relax muscles," she says. They also contain tryptophan, which helps to produce the sleep-inducing hormones serotonin and melatonin. For a “sleepytime smoothie,” Elkin recommends blending almond milk, half a banana, frozen berries, ice cubes, and a sprinkle of flax or chia seeds until smooth.

3. Grapefruit

Another important nutrient for sleep is the antioxidant lycopene, as demonstrated in this recent study, which found that people who had consumed more lycopene had less difficulty falling asleep. "Grapefruits contain lycopene," says Elkin. "As an added bonus, lycopene also helps to support heart and bone health." Tomatoes and watermelon are also rich in lycopene.

4. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt contains tryptophan, which helps the body produce serotonin, which aids in mood regulation and promotes drowsiness and relaxation. Elkin suggests pairing plain yogurt with a carbohydrate, like half a banana or a sprinkling of granola, to help transport tryptophan to the brain.

5. Herbal Tea

Many people turn to "sleepy teas" in the evening to help get ready for bed, and for good reason. "A warm beverage, such as a non-caffeinated herbal tea like chamomile or a warm cup of milk, can help relax and soothe your mind and body in the evenings, preparing you for sleep," says registered dietitian Maxine C. Yeung. Elkin agrees, pointing out that any herbal tea will contain ingredients—such as chamomile, lavender, and peppermint—that help promote sound sleep.

epicurious.com - 18 Foods That Help You Sleep Better | Epicurious

Why is my poop like soft serve ice cream?

Imagine dispensing soft serve ice cream into your toilet, and you'll have the general, somewhat less delicious idea. This type of stool indicates...

Last updated Jan 3, 2019

Is there any healthy deli meat?

Choose the leanest cut of deli meat possible such as turkey, chicken breast, lean ham or roast beef. These type of deli meat have the highest...

Last updated Aug 25, 2018

Promotion

What is the best breakfast for seniors?

Healthy Breakfast Ideas For Seniors Oatmeal topped with fruits and nuts or seeds. A veggie omelet with a side of whole-grain toast. A whole-grain...

Last updated Aug 25, 2022

Promotion

Is it normal to gain 2 pounds after a cheat day?

In order to gain a pound of fat, you would need to add about 500 calories a day on top of your normal diet, every day, for about 7 days. This makes...

Last updated Jun 1, 2019