5 Foods That Promote Sleep

5/3/2018

Few things are as frustrating as not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep. Lack of sleep can wreak havoc on your ability to focus, your mood, and your body’s ability to fight off stress. None of those are a good thing.

We’ve put together a list of five sleep promoting foods, to help you catch those zzz’s.

Tart Cherry Juice
Cherries are a natural source of melatonin, which can help ease insomnia. Drinking a glass before bed or even eating fresh cherries can help you drift off to sleep more easily.

Bananas
Bananas are high in potassium which can help calm restless legs, bananas also contain magnesium which is known to promote digestion and help with relaxation. They also contain B6 which is needed to help your body to produce melatonin.

Caffeine Free Tea with Honey
Caffeine Free Tea with Honey
Choosing a green tea or chamomile tea sans caffeine as a before bed drink can help your body relax. Green tea contains theanine which promotes sleep, and chamomile helps your nerves and muscles to relax. The natural sugar in honey slightly raises insulin and allows tryptophan to enter the brain.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal contains magnesium, calcium, and potassium - all three can help you fall asleep faster. Magnesium can also help you stay asleep longer.

Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains serotonin, which relaxes your body and mind. Be sure to stick to a 1 to 1.5 oz. portion.

SOURCES:
http://www.eatingwell.com/article/32617/9-foods-to-help-you-sleep/
https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/11-foods-help-you-sleep-better/2-bananas/
https://www.livestrong.com/slideshow/1009551-nutritional-tricks-improve-sleep/#slide=13

PHOTO:
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash

0 Comments

Author

Amanda is a mother of three (10, 7, and 5) and has been married for 14 years. My weight loss journey started July 17, 2008, one day after my daughter's first birthday. Tipping the scales at 235 pounds at 5'3, being an over weight, over tired, out of shape role model no longer appealed to me and I knew it was time for a change. Three pregnancies later, I had lost a total of 105 pounds. I had run 2 marathons and dozens of half marathons. Something was missing. I was thin, but I wasn't fit. I wasn't healthy. I could feel it in my insides. I was 136 pounds and a size 8. Something didn't add up. I got my certification in personal training, nutrition, weight management, and dove into supplementation and whole foods. 90 days later, I gained 10 pounds and lost two pants sizes (8 to a 4).

Continuing on this path, all of my clients wanted to know how I was doing it. I always dreamed of creating a business that truly added value to people and improved their health. My husband, Grant, and I decided it was time to take that leap.

December 9, 2016, Simply Prepped Meals was born. Based around the mission of providing whole food based nutrition to people's doorsteps, we set out to create a new idea that fast food didn't have to be expensive or bad for you. Six months later, we built our permanent location in Cynthiana, IN. Then, January 2, 2018, we entered into a partnership with the YMCA of Southern Indiana to continue spreading the word of meal prep and eating with purpose.

Amanda coaches individually as well as continues to drive their business. Any questions about personal coaching can be directed to her at amanda@simplypreppedmeals.com

LIVING
PREPPED