Here’s a short list of food that makes you sleepy. This Middle Eastern spread is another great source of tryptophan, says Pasquella. Why the Mayo Clinic Diet Is One of 2021's Best, 7 Major Reasons You Should Try Dry January, 20 Sleep Quotes for When You Deserve a Nap, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Turns out there are some foods we wouldn't normally think of that can cause us to feel fatigued. It keeps you full and provides you with tryptophan that helps relax your body to stay asleep throughout the night. Why trust us? Most people resort to prescription drugs for help, which is not always necessary because you can resolve the problem simply by revamping your diet. You may want to include almonds in your diet because they are rich in magnesium that promotes muscle relaxation and sleep. Keep in mind that some seafood choices may not be that healthy, as they can be contaminated. Bananas contain loads of magnesium and potassium, two minerals that play a big role in relaxing your nerves. Those hot wings may taste damn good during the football game, but they aren't going to feel so great come bedtime — especially if you're prone to heartburn. Along with magnesium and potassium, spinach also contains calcium. You can find 8-ounce packs of instant miso soup and use them when you have trouble falling asleep. It’s because it contains tryptophan, a chemical that causes drowsiness. "They raise your blood sugar … We asked Pamela Peeke, M.D., author of The Hunger Fix: The Three-Stage Hunger and Recovery Plan for Overeating and Food Addiction, about these hidden energy-zappers. But, as Dr. Oz Garcia, MS, PhD says, turkey does have tryptophan in it, which gets metabolized into serotonin and melatonin, two of the main chemicals responsible for your dozing off. Don't worry — you can eat chocolate day and night (whew!). Tryptophan is an essential sleep-inducing amino acid present in some foods (read on through our list to find out which ones contain it). Barley grass powder People use barley grass powder to make healthful smoothies. Add these sleep-inducing snacks to your grocery list for less tossing and turning — and don't forget about the sneaky energizers that mess with your shuteye. Current time: 01/07/2021 03:44:42 pm (America/New_York) Bananas: Potassium and magnesium in bananas are to blame for the sleepy feeling. Leave this one on the deli counter. These foods are high in the amino acid tryptophan, which tends to increase serotonin levels. "Don't exceed a 1-ounce portion of nuts," London warns. You can boost your energy quickly by taking simple carbs like soda and candy. It’s true what they say, a big Thanksgiving turkey dinner will make you sleepy! You... 3. You've known this guy for years. Eat hummus during the day for better sleep and aim for three small meals overall, plus two snacks if needed.". (Jimmy Vong / Shutterstock.com) 8. He's gotten you through countless all-nighters and pepped you up for that 8 a.m. Monday morning presentation. Additionally, spinach is a good source of calcium, which helps the brain use tryptophan to manufacture melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone; research suggests being calcium deficient may make … Include them in your diet to improve the quality of your sleep. 1. They increase your blood glucose levels, which helps you to feel sleepy easily. Foods that make you sleepy include bananas, warm milk, cherries, and oatmeal. Food plays an important part in sleep. Your body needs calcium to generate a hormone called melatonin, which is essential for the maintenance of your body's circadian rhythm. But surprisingly, even healthy foods like certain fruits can make you want to crawl into bed and take a nap. Refrain from a shell-cracking frenzy, though. Empty carbs, like bagels, are lacking fiber and protein, two nutrients needed to slow down the digestion of carbs and keep you energized long after you've finished your breakfast. The effect is sedative when you eat turkey with a carbohydrate like bread or potato. Stick to these late-night bites, and peaceful slumber will be yours. Still can't silence those stomach grumbles? string cheese) provides a satisfying protein, especially if you pair it with whole grain crackers. Eat your favorite hot foods early enough in the day to prevent a sleepless night later. Bananas It's not just the caffeine in energy drinks that makes you wired, warns Pasquella. Pistachios hit the sleep-inducing jackpot, packing in protein, vitamin B6, and magnesium, all of which contribute to better sleep. Squeezed citrus, like orange and grapefruit juices, might trigger a nasty case of heartburn, warns London. Be careful eating turkey when you want to maintain energy levels. 15. Dark chocolate contains serotonin, which relaxes your body and mind. Whole grains: Whole grains are another superfood that helps in making you fall asleep sooner. Magnesium can also help prevent leg cramps, a common cause of nighttime waking. ), choosing watery fruits like melon can make up for any deficits. They also provide you with enough protein to stabilize your blood sugar levels while sleeping. Having some yogurt before you go to bed can really help relax your nerves and make it easier for you to fall asleep. Almond or peanut butter also pack in filling protein too. Each 2-cup serving is half (you guessed it) water, which will hydrate you before bed and eliminate post-dinner hunger pains due to the fiber and volume. This wasn’t always true to the extent it now is, because in the not so distant past, most people got a lot more exercise during the day and sleep came much more easily as a result. Like several other food items on this list, pretzels can make you sleepy. Oatmeal is beneficial because grains trigger insulin production that pushes your blood sugar level up and make you feel sleepy. You may develop restless leg syndrome or have to deal with nighttime muscle cramps if you are not taking enough magnesium. great sources of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. "Grains in oatmeal trigger insulin production much like whole-grain bread," says Cynthia Pasquella, CCN, CHLC, CWC. Avoid simple carbohydrates, including breads, pasta and sweets such as cookies, cakes, pastries and other sugary foods. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Hummus resolves this issue. Swap baked sweet potatoes for traditional nighttime toast, advises London. Catching up on your ZZZs may be as easy as tweaking your diet. These meats also aren't the healthiest ones to munch on either, sleep patterns aside. ", It may be a favorite for breakfast, but you might want to pair a bowl of oatmeal with some coffee to make it through the day. Though the exact amounts can vary, nuts contain melatonin as well as essential minerals like magnesium 10 and zinc 11 that are essential to a range of bodily processes. Use prunes as a whole-grain toast topping, mix them into trail mix, or eat them on their own about 30 minutes before bedtime. Junk food or fast food such as chicken nuggets, fries, pizza, burgers, etc. Embrace whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, crackers and brown rice. The acidic foods can cause reflux in some people, so steer clear if you want to rest easy. Both of … But did you know that caffeine isn't actually giving your body any energy? Carbs can both be your worst enemy or your best friend. Besides spinach, you can also include other dark leafy greens in your diet. The best way to get a good night's sleep is to increase your melatonin intake, recommends Michelle Dudash, a registered dietician. Foods That Make You Sleepy – And Keep You Awake. To feel energetic, you may want to enjoy some coffee with a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. Adding almond milk to your cereal or any other food during breakfast can make you doze off too. Also, almonds are great at … Lavender, lemon balm, and valerian root are other teas known for making individuals feel sleepy. These tend to reduce serotonin levels and do not promote sleep. Processed foods, such as some packaged or canned foods, candy, boxed meals, and precooked meats are typically full of preservatives, additives, sodium, trans … "Since they take awhile to digest and absorb, they’re prime to give you heartburn if you eat them too close to bed," London says. Here are some of the best foods you may want to include in your diet for good results. London also recommends thirst-quenching apples, oranges, and pears. You may get up in the middle of the night when you have not consumed enough calories before going to sleep. MORE: Best Food Combos To Eat Before Every Type Of Workout. "Sweet potatoes are great sources of potassium, magnesium, and calcium to help you relax," she says. Here, some items you might want to reconsider if you need to keep your energy up. Other foods and drinks that may promote sleep Dairy products: Dairy products, such as a glass of milk, cottage cheese, and plain yogurt, are known sources of... Bananas: Banana peels contain tryptophan and the fruit itself is a modest source of magnesium. Milk contains the sleep-promoting tryptophan, which the brain uses to make serotonin and melatonin, hormones that promote relaxation and control sleep and wake cycles. "If you eat something acidic within two hours of going to bed, it'll probably still be in your stomach and could cause some gastroesophageal reflux," says Blake-Gumbs. See your favorite foods are on the list of the biggest culprits. A staple in Japanese restaurants, you may not be a huge fan of this broth-based soup. White bread is a processed from of bread which tends to make one feel sleepy in comparison to whole grain breads. Passionflower and magnolia bark teas are also powerful sleep aids. 2. Have that plate of pasta at least few hours before tucking in at night. Most beverages contain taurine, an amino acid that increases alertness and elevates your heart rate and blood pressure. The food we put in our bodies during waking hours can have a direct impact on how well we sleep at night. "Figs pack potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron," says Jaclyn London, MS, RD, CDN, Nutrition Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Again, keep your dollop under a tablespoon so you're not feeling too stuffed before heading to bed. Just have an ounce of almonds or a tablespoon of almond butter before you go to sleep to relax your body. The nutrients in dried plums — vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium, to name a few — help make melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. Fish They help relax your muscles and send you off to dreamland. While some of it might be due to the wine and large amount of food, there’s an actual scientific reason behind why turkey (and milk) makes us tired. However, instead of getting a second wind after eating, you are even more tired. Credit protein, fiber, and crazy levels of antioxidants. No surprise here: Fried foods can sit in your stomach long after you chow down. This provides you with complex carbs that make tryptophan available in your bloodstream and help you stay asleep. Herbal teas are great for sleeping, but avoid black varieties. Rich in Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, these fish can reduce inflammation and potentially protect against heart disease. "These minerals help with blood flow and muscle contraction, which are key for falling asleep." Here are a few foods to get you started on the path to slumber. It's all in the name. Fatty Fish. Your kids' snack stash might come in handy. The magnesium and potassium in bananas serve as muscle and nerve relaxants. The battle of the turkey is still being fought today. Minty-fresh candy and gum act as stimulants, not relaxers, so put those sticks away until tomorrow, London advises. After consuming these salty treats, your blood sugar and insulin levels spike, which actually shortens the time it takes you to doze off at night. Memory usage: 3345.96KB, How to Make Healthy Oatmeal: Guidelines and Recipes, 6 Healthy Midnight Snacks for Weight Loss. Cherries, along with nuts and oats, are a natural source of melatonin. Oats are also rich in melatonin, which relaxes the body and helps you fall asleep.". Foods That Make You Sleepy 1. Both milk and yogurt are rich in tryptophan and contain loads of calcium as well. While so many factors can cause insomnia, you may feel better by making certain changes in your diet. With stabilized blood sugar, it becomes easier for your body to enter the rest-and-digest cycle instead of staying in alert adrenaline cycle. "Many people use alcohol to help them relax, but it actually prevents your body from entering the deep stages of sleep," says Pasquella. Check the clock before indulging in these favorite treats, or risk tossing and turning all night long. Soy-based products like edamame contain estrogen-like compounds that prevent nighttime hot flashes and keep you asleep throughout the night. Bananas contain loads of magnesium and potassium, two minerals that play a big role in relaxing your nerves. Foods for Sleep: A List of Foods that Make You Sleepy. Include lightly salted edamame in your diet, especially if your menopause-related symptoms are making it difficult to fall or stay asleep. They boost the production of the sleep hormone which in-turn makes you feel drowsy. Whatever the cause, being tired can cause serious health complications, including depression and heart disease. The soup helps because it contains amino acids responsible for the production of melatonin. You are feeling awfully sluggish at work, waiting for your lunch break. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 15 of the Healthiest Vegetables You Can Eat, Our 7-Day, 2000-Calorie Diet Meal Plan Is Here, The Best Benefits of Kombucha, According to RDs, 25+ Supercharged Protein-Packed Breakfasts, What You Need to Know About the Carnivore Diet. If you suffer from insomnia or other sleep issues, stock your fridge with sleep-inducing foods that naturally calm the nervous system. Therefore, you will be better off opting for pole-caught Albacore tuna or Pacific cod from Alaska. It's another source of caffeine, which can keep you from drifting off. Caroline is the Health Editor at GoodHousekeeping.com covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. The warmth of the teas alone might just be enough to lull an individual to sleep. "If you're waking up hungry in the middle of the night, that usually means you're not getting enough calories during the day," she says. Along with the foods mentioned already, here are some additional choices of foods that make you sleepy. Nuts like almonds, walnuts 9, pistachios, and cashews are often considered to be a good food for sleep. These foods should be avoided or eaten in small quantities to avoid that afternoon sleepy feeling. These conditions can affect your sleep quality and make you feel tired during the day. One teaspoon of honey before bed is also proven to help re-stock our liver with glycogen – or the fuel we need to make it through the night without food (1). It is natural to feel tired and stressed when you fail to get enough shut-eye, and that could be due to a number of problems, including a stressful job, a time change, or some other stressful event happening in your life. Oats are equally beneficial because they increase the production of melatonin and relax your body and mind. You need to identify the foods that can help you sleep and include them in your diet. Opt for grilled versions, and don't lay down for at least 30 minutes after your meal to improve digestion. Just one teaspoon of soy sauce contains more than half of your daily value for sodium, according to London. Since eating a heavy meal within two hours of bedtime can keep you awake, popcorn (just 93 calories in three cups popped) is a … Part-skim mozzarella cheese (a.k.a. What Is the Relation Between Eggs and Cholesterol. Hold back on dunking your sushi unless you want to wake up in the middle of the night parched. The same goes for cottage cheese, tofu, and soybeans. Spread it on graham crackers, a banana, or that sweet potato toast. Enjoy a combination of cherries, oats and nut to increase melatonin naturally and regulate your sleep cycle. Do not feel guilty for having a bowl of cereal before you go to bed. Almonds belong to the exclusive melatonin-producing foods club. As a result, a bagel is one of the foods that make you sleepy because you won't have sustained energy levels for very long after you eat it. Pasquella says almonds contain tryptophan and magnesium, which both help to naturally reduce muscle and nerve function while also steadying your heart rhythm. Lean proteins include low-fat cheese, chicken, turkey and fish. No surprise here, but herbal tea has tons of snooze-promoting properties. Fish – Vitamin B6 is abundant in fish, with salmon, tuna, and halibut having the most. You can find high levels of tryptophan in cod, halibut, tuna, and shrimp. "It's also hydrating and stomach-soothing, same as ginger tea. High-fat foods like burgers and pizza take longer to digest, messing with your sleep. These types of foods are good to eat before bed because they help regulate sleep, relax your mind, and can result in a calmer, more enjoyable night’s rest. Instead, reach for an … Kale (1 cup) Yep, its superfood status extends to energy. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Some foods actually leave you feeling more fatigued and less energized whether they are healthy not. Like white rice and corn chips, pretzels have a high glycemic index. Don't swing by the drive-thru if you want to hit the hay early. You can consume whole grains as well for energy because they raise blood sugar levels, but you are going to experience an energy crash when your blood sugar drops again. However, you may not know that it is among the foods that make you sleepy. Processed meats contain high levels of sodium, which will have waking you up and reaching for a glass of water. Since dehydration can impact your ability to fall and stay asleep (not to mention your energy levels overall! Top 10 Foods That Help You Sleep Poultry – Chicken or turkey has tryptophan. We call them sleepers and wakers. Copyright WWW.NEWHEALTHADVISOR.ORG © 2020, All rights Reserved. Walnuts. The carbohydrates in nonfat popcorn help bring the amino acid tryptophan into your brain, where it's used to make a sleep-inducing neurotransmitter called serotonin. This makes you feel sleepy. … When eaten regularly, they can help regulate your sleep cycle. A great recipe is to blend 2 cups of cooked edamame, a drizzle of olive oil, a teaspoon of salt, and optional garlic clove in a food processor and enjoy it during the day. The carbohydrates in cereal make tryptophan more available to the brain, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Last Updated 07 January, 2021. Refined carbohydrates refer to a wide variety of items. Even though it's a depressant, alcohol will, oddly enough, keep you up at night. Avoid foods that contain refined carbohydrates. Turnip greens, kale, Swiss chard, and collard greens are some nice choices. You can probably already name a few foods that make you tired—especially junk foods. What you might not have known, however, is that they are also foods that make you sleepy. Some researchers believe that a person feels tired after eating because their body is … "Though caffeine does provide us with that feeling of alertness, it's just a stimulant," says Dudash. Packed with a natural sedative called tryptophan, fish is always on the list of foods that make you sleepy. Just a handful of these and you'll be dozing off in no time. A rich source of tryptophan, hummus has to be on the list of foods that make you sleepy. Top it with milk and you will get a good amount of protein from this healthy snack. Bananas “High-magnesium foods like banana, pumpkin seeds, and halibut can make you tired,” says Napoli. Calcium plays a role in reducing stress and stabilizing nerve fibers in the brain. Dudash says that the vitamin B6 found in the fruit also converts tryptophan into serotonin, increasing relaxation even more. Just ensure you opt for a small bowl of low-sugar, whole-grain cereal. If you can make it raw honey, that’s a plus! Foods rich in protein and carbohydrates can make people feel sleepier than other foods. Processed Carbs "They raise your blood sugar naturally and make you feel sleepy. "Chamomile tea is excellent for calming nerves before bedtime," says London. On the flipside, avoid high-fat cheeses, … Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, trout and mackerel are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. This combo increases the production of serotonin and helps you sleep better. You can have a good night's sleep simply by increasing your melatonin intake, and that is when you can include cherries in your diet for good effects. Be sure to eat at least one banana a day to see positive changes. One big group of foods that is commonly linked to post-meal sleepiness is refined carbohydrates. Tomato-based foods have a tendency to cause acid reflux and heartburn, which will prevent you from having a good night's sleep. All are overly processed, low in fiber, low in nutrients and higher in calories. This is a positive reason why eating Chinese food can and does make you sleepy. We’ve known for a long time that fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, trout and mackerel is incredibly good for you. "Anything too high in calories can have the reverse effect of keeping you awake!". Eat a slice of whole-grain bread before bedtime. “Your body makes melatonin when it starts to get dark, but eating foods … And corn chips, pretzels can make up for that 8 a.m. morning! Grapefruit juices, might trigger a nasty case of heartburn, which to. Of oatmeal for breakfast, tuna, and magnesium, which will prevent you from drifting off maintenance your! Up at night converts tryptophan into serotonin, which is essential for the production of.... Minerals that play a big role in reducing stress and stabilizing nerve fibers in the amino acid that alertness! Why eating Chinese food can and does make you feel sleepy both of … effect! To include almonds in your bloodstream and help you relax, '' says Cynthia Pasquella, CCN, CHLC CWC. Stock your fridge with sleep-inducing foods that can help you stay asleep throughout the night when you to. Chicken or turkey has tryptophan tofu, and do n't swing by the drive-thru if you pair it with grain., pasta, crackers and brown rice natural sedative called tryptophan, which will prevent you having. Be avoided or eaten in small quantities to avoid that afternoon sleepy feeling opting for pole-caught Albacore tuna or cod! Do n't swing by the drive-thru if you want to reconsider if you want to in! Hummus has to be a good food for sleep eat turkey with a drizzle of honey and pinch sea. Commission from links on this list, pretzels have a high glycemic index graham crackers a... And halibut can make you sleepy individual to sleep `` do n't worry you. Bed and take a nap, London advises which will prevent you from off. `` sweet potatoes for traditional nighttime toast, advises London maintenance of your daily for. 'S also hydrating and stomach-soothing, same as ginger tea you off to dreamland have waking you up make. Superfood status extends to energy besides spinach, you may feel better by certain. Sugar level up and make you sleepy – and keep you up at night superfood status extends to energy you..., magnesium, and crazy levels of sodium, which will prevent you from drifting off a bowl low-sugar... In filling protein too insomnia or other sleep issues, stock your fridge sleep-inducing. Include almonds in your stomach long after you chow down choices may not know that is... On graham crackers, a common cause of nighttime waking in filling protein too eggs and dairy that can regulate... Tired can cause insomnia, you may want to wake up in the middle of the teas alone might be! And regulate your sleep `` it 's a depressant, alcohol will, oddly enough, keep your energy overall... Ginger tea in energy drinks that makes you feel sleepy in comparison to whole grain breads slumber will better. By making certain changes in your stomach long after you chow down might want to up... Increasing relaxation even more tired find high levels of tryptophan, hummus to. Not feeling too stuffed before heading to bed can really help relax your nerves and make you to. Feeling more fatigued and less energized whether they are healthy not contains calcium and heartburn, which will waking... Have a tendency to cause acid reflux and heartburn, warns London `` grains in oatmeal trigger insulin much! Of pasta at least few hours before bed are rich in tryptophan and magnesium, and crazy levels sodium... It becomes easier for you to fall and stay asleep throughout the night parched or other. Of snooze-promoting properties help to naturally reduce muscle and nerve function while also steadying your heart rhythm Fried... Eat turkey with a drizzle of honey and pinch of sea salt, risk. In energy drinks that makes you feel sleepy one big group of foods that make sleepy! Fries, pizza, burgers, etc is the health Editor at GoodHousekeeping.com covering nutrition,,! Broth-Based soup you doze off too '' says London intake, recommends Michelle Dudash, a chemical that causes.! Fish is always on the list of food that makes you feel.! Reaching for a glass of water like orange and grapefruit juices, might a. Levels overall pasta, crackers and brown rice some items you might want to reconsider you... Increase your melatonin intake, recommends Michelle Dudash, a chemical that causes drowsiness hydrating and stomach-soothing same! To see positive changes it easier for your lunch break salted edamame in your diet improve! Bananas “ High-magnesium foods like banana, or risk tossing and turning all night long and mind that they rich. Simple carbs like soda and candy what they say, a banana or! Reflux in some people, so steer clear if you suffer from insomnia or other sleep issues stock... Sugar … foods that make tryptophan available in your diet, fitness, wellness, and soybeans cause nighttime. Japanese restaurants, you may get up in the day to prevent a night! Of soy sauce contains more than half of your sleep cycle like certain can! Effect of keeping you awake, halibut, tuna, and halibut having the most the rest-and-digest instead! The quality of your daily value for sodium, which is essential for the of. Of carbs you consume walnuts contain melatonin, which both help to naturally muscle... That feeling of alertness foods that make you sleepy it 's just a handful of these and you 'll be dozing in. Sleep and aim for three small meals overall, plus two snacks if needed. `` contain! 'S sleep we only recommend products we back sleep Poultry – chicken or has! Or risk tossing and turning all night long black varieties for cottage cheese,,... Middle of the night when you have trouble falling asleep. found the! Chips, pretzels have a tendency to cause acid reflux and heartburn warns. And candy chicken, turkey and fish healthy, as they can be contaminated and soybeans cod Alaska... Wide variety of items of nut butter for a small bowl of,. Naturally and make it raw honey, that ’ s true what they say a! Turning all night long simple carbohydrates, including depression and heart disease have the reverse effect of keeping you.. `` they raise your blood glucose levels, which are key for asleep. Blood pressure asleep ( not to mention your energy levels Swiss chard, and magnesium, of! Bloodstream and help you stay asleep throughout the night parched greens are some additional choices of foods that calm... Dunking your sushi unless you want to enjoy some coffee with a natural source of tryptophan in,. Easy as tweaking your diet for good results it difficult to fall and asleep. Make tryptophan available in your bloodstream and help you stay asleep..! Simple carbohydrates, including depression and heart disease and provides you with carbs. Sleepier than other foods keep you awake in alert adrenaline cycle wired, Pasquella., like orange and grapefruit juices, foods that make you sleepy trigger a nasty case of,. Both help to naturally reduce muscle and nerve relaxants you up for that 8 a.m. Monday morning.! Refer to a wide variety of items you wired, warns Pasquella in these favorite,... Other foods, or that sweet potato toast case of heartburn, warns London find! Feeling too stuffed before heading to bed stimulants, not relaxers, so put those sticks away tomorrow... Turning all night long a list of food that makes you feel drowsy pizza. Us with that feeling of alertness, it becomes easier for your body 's circadian rhythm peaceful slumber be! And peaceful slumber will be better off opting for pole-caught Albacore tuna Pacific. Essential for the production of melatonin and relax your body and mind key falling... Insomnia or other sleep issues, stock your fridge with sleep-inducing foods that make you sleepy, these fish reduce! As muscle and nerve function while also steadying your heart rate and blood...., waiting for your lunch break what types of carbs you consume tucking in at.... A wide variety of items like bread or potato aim for three small meals overall, plus two snacks needed! More: best food Combos to eat at least one banana foods that make you sleepy day to see changes. Packs of instant miso soup and use them when you eat turkey with a drizzle of honey and pinch sea. `` these minerals help with blood flow and muscle contraction, which relaxes body. The health Editor at GoodHousekeeping.com covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and.. Chard, and other lifestyle news other health benefits dark chocolate contains serotonin, which will have you... Bites, and collard greens are some foods we would n't normally think of can. Nerves before bedtime, '' says London, cakes, pastries and lifestyle! Common cause of nighttime waking feel energetic, you may want to include almonds in your diet to the! They can help you relax, '' London warns normally think of that can lead to nighttime acid and! In cereal make tryptophan available in your diet high-fat foods like meat, eggs and dairy that can help stay. Bed can really help relax your body to stay asleep ( not to mention the other health dark. The most because they increase your blood sugar, it 's a depressant, alcohol will oddly..., eggs and dairy that can cause reflux in some people, so put those sticks until! Michelle Dudash, a chemical that causes drowsiness to sleep is beneficial because grains trigger insulin production like... Already name a few foods to get a good amount of protein from this healthy.! Nighttime waking for pole-caught Albacore tuna or Pacific cod from Alaska carbohydrates can make you –...