10 Foods That Help You Go To Sleep

Tools

By Lisa Norris

Story Published: Sep 26, 2008 at 11:07 PM CST

Story Updated: Sep 26, 2008 at 11:08 PM CST

Real Age, an internet based company specializing in wellness, reports this week that if it takes you more than 15 minutes to
fall asleep at night, you can quicken your trip to dreamland by changing what you eat in the evening.  Real Age reports "it can make the difference between staring at the ceiling and sleeping like a baby."

For years, the top food on the sleepy list was turkey, because it contains sleep-inducing tryptophan (credited with the famous Thanksgiving naps). But researchers have recently nixed this connection. Why? Turkey, like most foods, just doesn't contain enough tryptophan to put you to sleep, explains Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of The Food & Mood Cookbook: Recipes for Eating Well and Feeling Your Best .

Instead, think light but high-carbohydrate snacks. Carbs boost levels of the brain's sleep chemical serotonin without overloading your digestive system. If you desire, wash them down with something warm and soothing, such as a cup of herbal tea (chamomile, lemon balm, or valerian) or warm milk.

10 Top Sleep Boosters
Nibble on one of these 10 high-carb calmers an hour before bedtime -- and the experts say you'll be yawning in no time.

1. Half of a whole-wheat English muffin or raisin bagel drizzled with honey

2. Two cups of air-popped popcorn

3. A small slice of angel food cake topped with berries 

4. A frozen whole-wheat waffle, toasted, with maple syrup

5. Half a cup of pretzels

6. Fresh strawberries dunked in a little fat-free chocolate syrup

7. Half a cup of pasta topped with marinara sauce

8. A 4-ounce baked potato topped with salsa

9. A handful of oyster crackers and a piece of fruit

10. Canned mandarin oranges sprinkled with crystallized ginger

The benefits of sleep go well beyond good moods and lots of energy. Getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night can make your RealAge as much as 3 years younger.  Check out RealAge.com for daily tips and information about staying healthy. 

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Anonymous said on Friday, Dec 23 at 2:22 AM

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bandbffe said on Tuesday, Dec 13 at 10:11 PM

jk

Bandbffe said on Tuesday, Dec 13 at 10:11 PM

tht sux!

Katie said on Sunday, Jan 2 at 8:02 PM

Actually, a lot of those foods include sugar and caffienne, which reverse the sleeping process. You may want to double check your information. Also, cheese and a a piece of fruit, such as half a banana, would suffice due to the cheese being a dairy product, which is a good snack about an hour before bedtime, and the banana having lots of potassium which is also good to consume an hour before bedtime.

chrissy said on Saturday, Nov 20 at 11:08 PM

why not a good cheese and fruit?

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