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5 Foods that help you sleep

Do you have trouble sleeping? If so, check out these five foods to help you get a better night’s rest — tonight!

Sleep
better tonight

Do you have trouble sleeping? If so, check out these five foods to help you get a better night’s rest — tonight!

While chronic sleep issues — such as insomnia — only affect some people, three in five individuals have trouble sleeping at least once per week, according to Statistic Brain. Whether stress, too much caffeine or a screaming baby is the cause, restless nights aren’t fun for anyone. If you’ve ever experienced trouble falling asleep or have trouble staying asleep, you know there are very few things in life more frustrating. Luckily, the cure can actually be found in the foods we eat. Certain foods are known to help us fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Let’s take a look at the top five foods for sleeping. For a good night’s sleep, it’s worth trying!

1

Cherries

Did you know? Grapes also contain melatonin, but the amount is relatively low. Unless you plan on eating them by the bunch, it’s better to go with cherries.

Cherries are a summer fruit — so now’s the perfect time to start adding them to your diet. Cherries are packed with antioxidants and are also one of the only foods with a significant source of melatonin, the sleep regulating hormone. Try eating a few handfuls an hour or two before you go to bed or blending them in a smoothie.

2

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea is known to relax the mind and body and help soothe you to sleep. It has been used for centuries to help treat sleep disorders. Though it can’t fully cure them on its own, drinking a hot cup 30 minutes before bedtime will relax you enough to help you drift off.

3

Oatmeal

Though oatmeal is a breakfast food, if you eat it for dinner you’re more likely to get a good night’s sleep. Oatmeal triggers your brain to release sleep-inducing chemicals, it contains melatonin (similar to cherries) and it’s filling and comforting. If you do decide to have a bowl before bed, try not to add any sugar since that can have the reverse effect.

4

Toast

Another common breakfast food, toast will help you sleep. Simply put — toast triggers insulin production, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep. After eating carbs, your body typically gets a short burst of energy followed by a crash. Use this crash to your advantage in going to sleep!

Tip: Spread cherry preserves on top of toast and wash it down with warm milk.
5

Yogurt

Yogurt is loaded with calcium, and some experts believe that being low in calcium is a cause of sleep problems. Make sure you’re getting the recommended 1,000 mg per day and see if it helps your sleep habits. One 8-ounce serving of yogurt contains almost half your daily requirement, so eat up!

More on foods that help you sleep

Tonight’s dinner: Cherry pork chops
Black Forest baked oatmeal recipe
5 Yogurt snacks for summer

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