We know sleep is critical for optimal health and wellness. It plays a major role in how you function throughout the day; supporting your mental health, physical health, quality of life and safety. But did you know that nutrition plays a major role in how well you sleep? The primary nutrients that promote sleep are Melatonin, Serotonin, Magnesium, Vitamin B, B3, B6, B12 and Folic Acid.
So, what foods are the best for supporting sleep? Contrary to popular belief, the best food to eat before bed is a high-carb, low-protein, low-calorie snack! Here are our top five snacks to eat before bed.
- Cherries
Cherries are an optimal source of nutrients for a healthy life; containing a variety of vitamins such as fibre, protein, vitamin A and vitamin C. Research has shown that a glass of cherry juice contains enough of the hormone melatonin to assist the body’s natural sleep and wake cycles.
- Bananas
Bananas are another sleep superfood! Rich in vitamin B-6, manganese, vitamin C, copper, fibre, magnesium, tryptophan, melatonin and potassium, bananas are a rich and effective hormonal cocktail to relax the body and promote the natural sleep cycle.
- Walnuts
Walnuts are regarded as the ultimate brain food; rich in omega-3, manganese, copper, iron, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium and tryptophan. Walnuts have been shown to triple the body’s melatonin levels!
- Milk
Regarded as one of the go-to natural sleep cures, milk is an excellent source of calcium; another mineral that assists the body’s natural production of melatonin!
- Herbal Tea
Consisting of ingredients from plants other than tea plants such as chamomile, passionflower, lavender, fennel, liquorice and ginger; herbal teas are an excellent source of nutrients to relax the body and promote melatonin production.
These are just a few of our favourite sleep promoting foods available – let us know what is your go-to bed time snack!
