Beds R Us

Sleep is As Important as Diet and Exercise

You probably already fit in 30 minutes of exercise on most days and stock your kitchen with nutritious eats, but don’t forget to add "make time for zzz's" to your stay-healthy list. It's just as critical, because sleep deprivation has been linked to heart disease, depression, and diabetes.

If you're looking for something satisfying and filling at night, try beans or nuts as a non-spicy substitute. B vitamins, naturally found in beans, have been used to treat insomnia for a while now—they are known to help alleviate stress and anxiety.
A handful of nuts are another great snack to have at night. Nuts are a great source of magnesium, which aids in sleep by activating the parasympathetic nervous system—the system responsible for relaxing your nerves. Magnesium also helps to regulate your melatonin levels.
So the next time you can't fall asleep, consider the foods that you consumed before bed. Maybe you've eaten too much dark chocolate, too many tomatoes, or an excessive amount of spicy food. For a better night's sleep, try drinking milk, eating grapes and cherries, or grabbing a handful of beans or nuts instead. Try keeping a food journal to see what foods personally affect you before bed time. If you are having trouble sleeping, it might be a good idea to ask your doctor or dietician what foods could be affecting your sleep. Instead of drug store sleeping aids, natural remedies could be your fix.