Your weight is not only directly related to the food you eat, but it also effects the quality of your sleep time. In fact, some foods even help you sleep better. By the same token there are foods that will make it even more difficult for you to sleep.
Foods that promote good sleep are foods such as fruits, leafy vegetables, whole grain breads, and cereals... there are even spices such as dill, sage, and basil will encourage good sleep as well.
Drinking milk before bedtime, a common method to aid sleep, is actually effective. Milk actually contains tryptophan, which can be converted to serotonin, the hormone that controls sleep. Honey, turkey, egg whites and tuna also contain tryptophan, which are good night time snacks.
If there are foods that promote sleep then there must be those that don't. Number one on this list would be caffeine. Most know to avoid a few cups of coffee right before heading off to bed. But, this list also includes tea, soft drinks, chocolate, cocoa, and even be mindful of any medication you may be taking. Also, some foods actually stimulate brain activity; which isn't good for falling asleep. A couple examples of these foods (which contain tyramine) are cheese, bacon, ham, tomatoes, and sugars.
Spicy foods, on the other hand, may cause gastrointestinal reflux or heartburn. While sweet or greasy foods can also cause indigestion and bloating. And though alcohol can make you sleepy, it actually upsets sleep patterns later in the night resulting to frequent waking in the night to urinate.
Also affecting your sleep patterns are when and how much you eat. As you approach your bedtime, and even later in the day for that matter, keep you eating on the lighter side. It's better to start your day with the hearty meals and taper off as you approach your sleeping schedule.
You may also take vitamins and supplements to aid sleep. Calcium and magnesium helps induce sleep. Calcium-rich foods include milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, sardines, salmon, broccoli, tofu, egg, and calcium-fortified food. Magnesium is found in nuts, almonds, cashews, beans, and spinach. Vitamins B6 and B12 are often beneficial and used in the treatment of insomnia. Some of the foods that contain Vitamin B6 are liver, meat, brown rice, fish, butter, wheat germ, whole grain cereals, and soybeans. Foods rich in Vitamin B12 include some plant milks, some soy products and some breakfast cereals.
The idea is to be mindful about what you eat as it does directly affect the way you sleep. If you improve your eating habits and thus, improve your sleep; you'll have more energy and feel better. More energy and feeling better is a great way to stay active and lose weight.
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