One study found that consumption of pineapple, oranges, and bananas. View Source increased melatonin production about two hours later. Kiwis have also been shown to have some sleep-inducing properties. In one study, adults with self-reported sleep problems were instructed to eat two kiwis an hour before bedtime.
“If you are hungry, you should eat something, regardless of the time of day,” says Aimee Takamura, registered dietitian and director of wellness and sustainability at Restaurant Associates. “The act of eating late at night does not affect metabolism or lead to many of the adverse effects you may have heard of.
Heavy Foods
Meals which seem to weigh on your stomach actually take longer to digest. Fatty, cheesy and fried foods can lead to indigestion and keep you up at night. Avoid things like cheeseburgers, fries, fried foods and large steaks late in the day.
Foods high in magnesium
Like tryptophan, the nutrient magnesium is also associated with better quality of sleep. When selecting your dinner vegetable, try adding a leafy green like spinach, which is high in magnesium. Nuts, seeds, avocados and black beans are also magnesium-rich foods.
Studies tend to show that when food is consumed late at night — anywhere from after dinner to outside a person's typical sleep/wake cycle — the body is more likely to store those calories as fat and gain weight rather than burn it as energy, says Kelly Allison of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine's ...
There are protein-packed options like trail mix, quick hummus, and a crispy blend of lentils and pepitas. Plus, three-ingredient peanut butter cookies, made with peanut butter, fruit jam, and eggs which totally count as a protein-packed snack IMO.
Snacks for Sleepiness
Certain nutrients and hormones help promote sleep. Tryptophan, found in turkey and fish, promotes serotonin production. Melatonin (found in dairy and cherries) makes you sleepy, potassium (found in bananas) and magnesium (also found in bananas and almonds) help promote muscle relaxation.
Chips. Potato chips are greasy and full of fat. When you eat greasy, fatty foods before bed, studies have shown that you can be more prone to nightmares. Eating chips before bed can also make it harder for you to fall asleep because of digestive issues.
Exercising before bed like twisting helps the muscles in the abdomen work hard, burns excess fat in the abdomen, and gives an ideal waist. The movement of combining abdomen with legs aims to reduce fat in the lower abdomen, making calves slimmer.
Tips to curb nighttime cravings
If you feel hungry at night, try a cup or two of water for some instant hydration and relief of those hunger pangs. Dietitians recommend drinking eight glasses of water each day. Schedule an hour after dinner to eat a healthy snack to diminish stronger cravings later at night.
Not only do we feel tired and worn out after a night of poor rest, but research also has shown that it may lead to overeating and cause you to be hungry before bed. “When we are tired, hormones called ghrelin and leptin can be triggered, which can cause spikes in hunger and food cravings,” Castillo says.
Eggs and fish are higher melatonin-containing food groups in animal foods, whereas in plant foods, nuts are with the highest content of melatonin.
Create a restful environment. Keep your room cool, dark and quiet. Exposure to light in the evenings might make it more challenging to fall asleep. Avoid prolonged use of light-emitting screens just before bedtime.