Foods that Help You Sleep

Foods that Help You Sleep If you don't think getting a good night's sleep is important, think again! Sleep is one of the most important factors in your overall health and well-being. Not only does it affect your physical energy for the day, but it also has a huge impact on your mental health. But tons of people out there experience frequent problems with sleep. Although the reasons may vary, insomnia is a big problem and can impact both short-term and long-term health. In fact, research has shown that getting too little sleep takes years off your life! You should be getting between 6-7 hours of sleep per night. This is the ideal range, and getting back on track can translate into a number of other health benefits, including more energy at the gym and better weight loss results (sleep plays a key role in your body's metabolism). So what can you do to ensure a good night's sleep? Well believe it or not, there are a number of foods that can help you improve the quality of your sleep. 5 Foods that Help You Sleep 1. Fat-Free Popcorn – You definitely don't want to overdo this one, especially if you're watching your carbohydrate intake. But keeping things light with a small portion of fat-free popcorn can actually help you get a better night's sleep. The carbohydrates in popcorn will actually cause a release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is a key factor in sleep. Just a couple cups before bed will do the trick. 2.  Halibut – This light, savory white fish actually contains 2 key sleep ingredients – tryptophan (the same stuff found in turkey) and Vitamin B6. Both of these ingredients are scientifically proven to improve sleep. If a light meal like this one feels like too much before bed, try out a vitamin B complex like NOW B-100 that's packed full of sleep-inducing B6. 3. Chickpeas – Chickpeas (garbanzo beans) are also high in Vitamin B6, which causes your body to release more serotonin. Drizzled with a vinaigrette or added to a small salad, chickpeas can be a tasty, sleep-inducing snack. And they're also high in protein, so they'll satisfy those late night cravings! 4. Dried Cherries – A small portion of dried cherries (preferably unsweetened) may be exactly what you need to get a good night's sleep. In addition to boosting serotonin levels, dried cherries also contain melatonin, another neurotransmitter that's been shown to play an important role in sleep. If you're not a fan of dried cherries, you should check out a good melatonin supplement like Natrol Melatonin. This particular supplement is great, as it also contains Vitamin B6 – two natural sleep-promoting substances in one! 5. Chamomile Tea – This is the last sleep-promoting food on this list, but it's a highly effective one. Chamomile tea has a natural calming effect on your body, which means it will help relieve tension and make you feel more relaxed! After all, stress if one of the biggest things standing in our way of a good night's sleep! Foods that Help You Sleep – Conclusion All of these foods can help promote quality and duration of sleep, which can improve your overall health and well-being. If these foods still don't cut it, try a natural sleeping aid like Top Secret Nutrition Sleep. While you don't want to depend on it long-term, it might be just what you need to get through those difficult times. And if you hit the gym pretty hard, don’t forget to check out one of my favorite supplements – NOW ZMA. This simple combination of vitamins is specifically designed to improve muscle repair, recovery, and sleep!

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