We’ve all had it happen. You’re watching TV, maybe reading a book, while winding down the night. Your bed is calling you but an ever-increasing sound distracts you from the beckoning. It’s your stomach growling. It seems like it won’t ever stop until you raid your fridge and pantry for delicious munchables. But wait, haven’t we always been told that eating before bed isn’t healthy and slows down our metabolism while we sleep? Fortunately there are foods that aren’t just okay to eat before bed - they even improve the quality of our rest.
Cereal
Eating a modest amount of cereal before bed can provide your body with high-glycemic cards, which have been found to reduce the amount of time that it takes for people to fall asleep. Milk and other dairy products are directly involved in the body’s production of melatonin, which also helps improve sleep quality. Hot cereal like oatmeal is another good pre-bedtime snack. These are loaded with filling fibers that will keep your cholesterol levels in check while you slumber.
Nuts and Fruit
There are a lot of foods that are tempting to eat but provide zero benefits to us before bed. We often crave these edibles due to their diverse flavor profiles. Pairing fruits with nuts is a healthy way to enjoy a wide range of flavors while sticking to healthy food choices. This combination introduces a multitude of vitamins, proteins, healthy fats, complex carbs, and fiber. Fruit and yogurt is another great healthy food combination.
Popcorn
Late night movie lovers rejoice! This movie snack classic is also a recommended late night meal. This is primarily due to the fact that you can have a lot of popcorn without eating a lot of calories. You can continue to expand your popcorn experience by adding certain flavors like the classic hot sauce and lime combination.
Sandwich
If you need more of an actual meal in the late night hours, sandwiches are a great possibility to consider. Enjoying a sandwich with lean meats and other healthy ingredients like a turkey sandwich with tomato and lettuce is a recommended nightcap meal. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches contain tryptophan, which is another important role player in creating melatonin.
Eggs
While eggs are typically associated with breakfast, they are also among the most adaptable of foods and provide plenty of melatonin for a restful night. Scrambled eggs and fried eggs only take minutes to make and result in a full feeling that leads to lots of sleep.
In summary, it’s not eating before bed that’s the problem. It’s what you eat. Some foods can even be part of the solution!
Cover image from Ponce Photography
