Men’s Health magazine recently put together eight foods that may help induce sleep. Everyone knows some of the keys to a good night’s sleep: going to bed at the same time, avoiding caffeine, and doing relaxing activities right before bedtime. Also, save your workout for early in the day. Add to your list some of these foods.
1. Nonfat popcorn provides carbohydrates that induce your body to produce serotonin which helps your body relax.
2. Oatmeal with a banana have melatonin which again is a hormone involved with sleep.
3. Yogurt with nuts has lysine and arginine which help to reduce stress.
4. Sesame seeds, like turkey, have tryptophan which some believe is a relaxant. (Love those Thanksgiving Day naps.)
(Did You Know? Personally, I like a glass of slightly warm nonfat milk to relax if I have trouble sleeping. I then focus on my shots from a recent round of golf which takes my mind away from anything stressful.)
5. Pretzels also provide carbs for relaxing.
6. One glass of wine helps blood vessels relax, two reverses the effect.
7. Unsweetened cherry juice has serotonin inducing carbs.
8. Red bell peppers reduce cortisol which is released during stress.