8 "Best" Bedtime Snacks For a Healthy Weight Loss

It is a known fact that snacking before going to sleep is probably the worst time to eat. However, there are ways to fight your cravings in a beneficial way. Did you know that there are types of foods that actually help you sleep without overloading your digestive system? Eating or combining 1 or 2 of the foods that I have listed below an hour before bedtime will actually help to relax tense muscles and stress due to their sleep-inducing hormones (melatonin and serotonin).

• Chamomile Tea: The perfect antidote for restless minds due to its mild sedating effect.

• Warm milk: Milk also has a sedative quality in it (tryptophan), and calcium which helps the brain use tryptophan. Also, psychologically, milk reminds us of our childhood, when a warm bottle of milk meant "everything is OK".

• Honey: Honey is sweet, sweet is sugar, and sugar is a stimulant, right? WRONG! A couple teaspoons of honey in a glass of warm milk or herbal tea actually helps your brain shut down a nerve called orexin, which is linked to alertness.

• Oatmeal: Oatmeal is not only filling and low fat, it is also filled with melatonin (a natural sedative). Add a touch of honey to your blend, and start counting sheep.

• Bananas: Bananas are the ultimate sedative. I like to call them "sleeping peels", not only do they contain melatonin AND serotonin, they ALSO contain magnesium (a muscle relaxant).



• Whole Wheat Bread: Eating toast in combination with any other sleeping foods, like honey or tea, will release insulin, which in turn will convert itself into serotonin.

• Turkey: Why is it that after a Thanksgiving meal, most of the family ends up on the couch? Well, turkey has a sleep inducing quality that works best on an empty stomach. Add a couple slices of whole wheat bread with mustard, and say goodnight!

• Almonds: A handful of almonds will knock you straight-out. They are filled with magnesium ( a muscle relaxant) and help convert tryptophan into serotonin.

Hopefully this article has given you clarity about what types of foods actually help induce sleep, and what you should look for in foods before going to sleep.


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