A Few Tips for Late Night Snacking

You’re unwinding after a long day.  Your body not only needs rest, but also sustenance.  You’ve entered the late night snacking zone.   While there are all sorts of opinions on whether or not it’s okay to eat before bed, there are actually some good choices you can make if you choose to do so.  Your diet is one of the biggest factors that decide whether or not you will get a restful night’s sleep, so be sure to make the right decisions late in the day.

Choose:                                                    

Cereal and Milk

The right combination of carbs and protein helps produce serotonin— helping produce melatonin— which has a calming effect on the body and mind.  Be sure to stay away from the sugary types of cereals, though.

Bananas

Bananas contain magnesium, which acts as a natural muscle relaxant.

Passionfruit

If you can find it, buy it!  Passionfruit contains somniferum, which contains sleep-inducing properties.  Eat as is, or as a juice/tea.

Cherry Juice

A 2011 study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that tart cherry juice is a great sleep aid. Adults who drank two glasses of cherry juice daily slept an average of 39 minutes longer than usual. Try adding 1 cup into a smoothie!