Treats you choose to snack on after dinner can not only be unhealthy, but it can also make it difficult for you to sleep well.
"There is no doubt that there are both foods that help and hinder our sleep, consuming a massive meal close to bedtime is sure to disrupt things, while high fat foods are known to leave us feeling tired and lethargic," Susie Burrell, an Australian dietitian is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
In order to avoid a restless night, Burrell reveals what to eat before bed and what to avoid.
Food to help you sleep:
Bananas: They are rich in nutrients like potassium and magnesium, which help the muscles to relax. "In addition, the natural carbohydrates found in bananas will gradually see a reduction in blood glucose levels which will help to induce sleep 60 minutes or so after consumption," Susie said.
Milk: It contains amino acid tryptophan which helps produce serotonin in the body. Serotonin helps naturally calm the body.
Nuts: The calcium in them helps the brain use tryptophan to produce the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin. "It is [also] the essential fats and amino acids including tryptophan which link the consumption of nuts close to bedtime and sleep," Susie explained.
Foods to avoid:
Dark chocolate: It contains caffeine.
Ice cream: The combination of sugar and fat stimulates the brain.
Salty food: Whether it is Chinese food or a curry, too much salt before bed can impact your sleep. "Not only do we often have issues with ingestion, but dehydration is also common which can result in you waking regularly during the night desperate for water, "Susie revealed.
