Snooze and Lose With These 4 Foods

It is possible to snooze and lose weight, who would have thought? It’s been said that those who eat junk food are less likely to get a good night’s sleep. This goes hand in hand with the fact that the less sleep you get at night, the more likely you will be to crave greasy, salty foods. Losing weight depends highly on how much sleep you get each night, so eating healthy foods before bed will help you get more sleep, which will help you to lose weight. Sounds like a perfect plan, right? Check out these 4 foods that will help you on your way to getting more sleep and that beach body you’ve always wanted.

Kiwi Fruit. A 2011 Taiwanese study showed that participants who ate two kiwi fruits one hour before they went to bed fell asleep faster, slept longer and had a better quality of sleep compared to a control group. Because the fruit is high in antioxidants it could be the key to getting better sleep. Kiwis are loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C and are packed with serotonin, both of which can help to get rid of those sleep-sabotaging toxins, putting you on a clear path to peaceful sleep.

Tryptophan. Everyone says that a large Thanksgiving plate of turkey will put you right to sleep thanks to tryptophan, but according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, other amino acids in high-protein foods like turkey, can actually prevent the tryptophan from reaching your brain. This can make you feel awake and more energized rather than sleepy. The best thing to do is to pack the first half of your day with protein rich foods, like eggs, and switch to whole grains at night. Oatmeal is excellent because it is low in calories, but rich in tryptophan and healthy carbs. It will also fill you up quickly and keep you feeling full.

Almonds will provide you with a giant magnesium boost. The magnesium in this nut improves quality of sleep, duration and morning alertness, so grab some almonds and give it a shot. Almonds are an excellent source of magnesium and also a good source of tryptophan, along with their balance of fiber, protein and healthy fats almonds are quite the power food. They will help you sleep better and will also keep you trim and full.

Bananas also contain tryptophan and magnesium as well as being packed with potassium, which is a nutrient that can also promote a more restful sleep. If you suffer from a potassium deficiency you will have a better chance of disruptive sleep cycles. The potassium in bananas also helps to relax your muscles, which will help you to sleep better. To make your banana more exciting, try adding a tablespoon of peanut butter. Peanuts are loaded with tryptophan and have a perfectly balanced carb-fat-protein ratio that will prevent midnight cravings.

It’s tough to get a good night’s sleep with the stresses of everyday life, but it is very important to get between 6-8 hours of sleep a night to maintain your health. If you want to lose weight you have to get a good night’s sleep more often than not. Try these 4 delicious foods that will aid in a better night’s sleep while keeping you healthy at the same time.