We all know that sleeping doesn’t always happen as easily as it should. With all the hustle and bustle of today’s busy world there are so many distractions that prevent us from falling asleep, or wake us up throughout the night. Thankfully we have the wonderful power of food to help us get a better night sleep and feel more rested!
5 healthy foods that promote a better nights rest:
- Almonds- they contain magnesium, which promotes better sleep by relaxing muscles. Almonds also help to maintain stable blood sugar levels while asleep
- Cherries (or tart cherry juice)- they are one of the only natural food sources of melatonin, which is a chemical that controls the body’s internal clock
- Banana’s- this fruit is high in potassium and magnesium, which help relax the muscles in the body. They also contain L-tryptophan which is an amino acid which then gets converted to 5-HTP in the brain and then to serotonin and melatonin which promote sleep
- Kale- this green leafy vegetable is packed with calcium. Research has shown that being deficient in calcium can lead to difficulty falling asleep at night
- Chickpeas- these tasty legumes are high in vitamin B6, which is needed to make melatonin. Melatonin is a sleep-inducing hormone which is triggered by darkness
Bedtime snack- Kale chips recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 large bunch of kale with stems removed (approx. 15 cups)
- 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon of sea salt
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
- Dry the kale and put into a large bowel
- Add the oil and sea salt
- Use your hands to toss the leaves around in the bowl to coat evenly
- Put kale leaves onto 2 large baking sheets (do not overlap leaves)
- Bake for 10 minutes and enjoy
Sleepy Tea:
- For a better night’s rest I suggest drinking a chamomile tea 30-45 minutes prior to going to sleep
- Chamomile tea is used for relaxation. It contains the ingredient chrysin, which helps fight insomnia by relieving anxiety, muscle relaxation, and leads to a better nights rest.
Now get some rest!
In good health,
~Jamie-Lynn