If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep during the night, then it might be time to rethink your eating habits. Most people are surprised to learn that detox foods can not only help them to feel more energetic throughout the day, but they can also ensure that it’s easier to fall asleep at night.
At a time when most of the adults in the USA have some kind of sleep disorder or insomnia, it’s more important than ever to think about whether you’re getting the right amount of rest in your regular routine. After all, adequate sleep goes hand-in-hand with a balanced diet to ensure that you’re prepared to perform at your best every day. Here are 5 detox foods that can make a huge difference in your sleeping patterns.
1. Bananas
Bananas are excellent detoxing food for people who need a regular dose of potassium. The potassium in bananas will reduce the risk of cramps and pain throughout your body. Additionally, this fantastic fruit comes packed with magnesium, which is particularly helpful for relaxing the muscles and therefore allowing for a deeper sleep. Try eating a banana before bedtime or mixing it with some oatmeal if you feel like you need some extra weight on your stomach. You can also make your very own banana milkshake at home.
2. Herbal Teas
Herbal teas are often a common part of many detox strategies, but they’re also great for assisting with a better night’s sleep. Chamomile herbal tea is very soothing and has been used throughout history to treat various sleeping disorders. Additionally, you can also explore options like valerian or lavender, if you don’t mind a slightly different taste. There are plenty of flavors out there, click here to find out more about honey and sleep too. Just make sure that you avoid anything that includes caffeine. The last thing you need is an extra dose of stimulation before you go to bed.
3. Pumpkin Seeds
The next time that you’re making a pumpkin pie or trying your hand on some new pumpkin recipes in your kitchen make sure that you keep your pumpkin seeds. When roasted, these seeds make for a delicious fat-free detox snack. You can munch on them when you’re watching television or working through the evening. Just 50 grams of pumpkin seeds includes 200 mg of magnesium, which is almost enough to fill your complete daily requirement. The more magnesium you get, the more your muscles relax for a good night’s rest.
4. Cherries
Cherries can be an excellent choice for a bedtime treat. If you don’t want to eat anything, you can always try swapping fresh cherries for a glass of tart cherry juice instead. Just one glass before bed will increase your melatonin levels significantly. Melatonin is the substance in your body that tells you when it’s time to go to sleep. Fresh or juiced, they can both have the same impact, depending on what you prefer.
5. Sweet Potatoes
For the most part, snacking on potatoes before bed might sound like a crazy idea. However, it turns out that eating sweet potatoes could actually be excellent for your sleep strategy. Sweet potatoes are great sources of complex carbohydrates, as well as potassium. While you snooze, the extra dose of potassium in your body will help you to relax. It will improve your chances of having a deeper sleep too. Just make sure that you wash and dry your potatoes thoroughly before you cook them. You can make some wedges to have as a nighttime snack or simply mash your sweet potatoes and have them with a little brown rice or quinoa.
Author Bio: Emily Melynn Alexander was born on the east coast of the USA but has called Colorado home since 2000. She has a degree in English and Political Science from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She loves two things – sleep and travel.
