Foods that will help you sleep like a baby
Low dietary intake of the mineral selenium is becoming increasingly common and has been linked with difficulty nodding off. Eating more crab is one tasty way of getting your selenium fix; this handy component not only helps with sleep, but also helps prevent memory loss and promotes healthy thyroid function.
Turns out this old wives’ tale is actually true – sort of. A recent review study concluded that consuming dairy products helps improve sleep quality, but that there’s no specific benefit to drinking milk at bedtime.
A tasty addition to Asian dishes, bean sprouts contain high amounts of GABA – a chemical that increases alpha waves in the brain. According to research, alpha wave action plays a key role in enhancing sleep and encouraging relaxation.
Spinach is packed full of nutrients needed to keep your body and brain healthy. Delicious in curries, salads and pastries, this leafy green is rich in magnesium (a nutrient known for its muscle relaxing qualities) and calcium, another key mineral linked with promoting sleep.
A tasty tryptophan and carb–packed combo to transport you to slumberland is protein-rich Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey. A great alternative to a sugar-loaded scoop of ice cream, yogurt is not only super creamy, but it also has the extra benefit of being very high in snooze-friendly calcium.
Research suggests that the high glycaemic index of rice (which means it releases sugar quickly) makes it good for inducing sleep. Glucose in the blood makes it easier for tryptophan – the amino acid that generates serotonin and melatonin in the body – to cross into the brain
For a good night’s kip, steer clear of platters laden with aged cheeses such as Parmesan, Cheddar and Brie and direct your attention to younger styles such as cottage cheese, instead.