Keeping your eating habits in mind during the day may help you sleep better at night. 😴

“To improve sleep patterns, it's important to review what and when we eat,” explains Cheryl Lythgoe, of Benenden Health, an award-winning, MSc-certified nurse consultant with over two decades of experience. “If you've tried every sleep remedy and feel tired... it may be... "It's because you're eating the wrong foods."

One of the worst foods you can eat if you have trouble sleeping is chocolate, even dark chocolate, which is a fairly healthy option.

There is a lot of sugar in white chocolate and milk chocolate, which may lead to high blood sugar levels, and thus interruption of sleep.

Dark chocolate also contains cocoa and, often, caffeine, a known stimulant.

Another food worth reducing if you have sleep problems is cheese, as hard or aged cheese contains high levels of the amino acid tyramine, which helps create alertness.

A possible contributing factor to poor sleep is potato chips, which are usually high in salt, which leads to dehydration and increased water retention.

Those who crave sweet foods, such as milk chocolate, may be better off eating cherries instead.

Cherries contain a high percentage of melatonin, which helps promote drowsiness.

Almonds are also a good choice because they contain a high percentage of magnesium, which helps regulate blood sugar levels so as not to keep you awake.

"A regular routine allows the body to recognize 'sleeptime' cues that can help promote a restful night," Lythgoe noted.

Additional tips include not eating too late in the evening, monitoring portion sizes, and staying away from sugar and caffeine before bed.

For anyone who has had trouble sleeping for a while, they should seek support from a doctor.

There can be many factors contributing to insomnia, which may not be related to the foods you eat.

Source: Express - Published August 31,2023