Eat Better, Sleep Better

I think every college student could agree with the statement that sleep is pretty hard to come by once the semester is in full swing...and if you don’t agree with that statement, then I salute you, for you must surely have some kind of superhuman sleeping powers. However, there is good news for sleep-deprived students: certain foods can help you sleep better! Incorporate these foods into your bedtime snack and get ready to snooze the night away. ​

1. Bananas

    Bananas aren’t just a delicious, naturally sweet dessert option, but are also a good source of vitamin B6, which helps your body to produce the hormone melatonin, which induces sleep. Try a banana with nut butter or sprinkled with cinnamon before you hit the hay tonight!
    2. Almonds
    Almonds make for an awesome late night snack, thanks to their high magnesium levels that assist in preserving the quality of sleep and building strong bones. Eat them on their own, in trail mix, or in your favorite snack bar.
    3. Honey
    Honey has been shown to aid tryptophan, a sleep-inducing amino acid, in entering the brain by slightly raising insulin levels. Try it mixed into your bedtime cup of tea for a soothing nighttime treat.
    4. Hummus
    I don’t know about you, but hummus is always a go-to snack for me any time of the day. As it turns out, it is a good source of tryptophan, which is just another reason to break out the tub for a late night snack session. Try it with pita bread or veggies for a healthy and filling snack option.
    5. Oatmeal
    It turns out oatmeal is not just for breakfast! Oatmeal is a carbohydrate-rich source that has been shown to aid in sleepiness, in addition to being a source of melatonin, that sleep-inducing hormone I mentioned earlier. Try it hot or bake it into a treat for a satisfying snack.
    6. Walnuts
    Walnuts also contain tryptophan, which helps produce serotonin and melatonin. Get creative in the kitchen and make a walnut-rich dessert to snack on before bed for a sweet sleep-inducing treat.
    7. Turkey
    Turkey is infamous for its ability to cause drowsiness, due to its tryptophan content. It is also a great source of protein, which has been shown to promote a good night’s sleep. Eat it plain or pair it with some hummus to maximize its sleep-promoting potential!
    I hope you find some bedtime snack inspiration from these amazing superfoods that can help you get the most out of your sleep. See the sources below for more information and to view the studies behind these fascinating findings.
Have a great week, sleepy SNO members!

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-foods-to-help-you-sleep#section2
http://www.eatingwell.com/article/32617/9-foods-to-help-you-sleep/
https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/foods-that-help-you-sleep/