8 Healthy Foods to Eat Before Bed

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New Year, new me. This month, like every January for as far back as I can remember, I’ve found myself eating lots of fruit and veg and cutting back on chocolate and carbs, in a desperate attempt to shift the pounds I’ve piled on over Christmas. I didn’t put on as much weight this Christmas as I usually do, but I made up for it by gaining around a stone in weight throughout the rest of last year.

So far, it seems to be going okay. I’m not following a strict diet, but I’m eating healthy, balanced meals and cutting down on sugary snacks, as well as going to the gym three times every week (if you’re looking to exercise to get into shape, read more info here). I’ll give it a few weeks and if the weight doesn’t start falling off, I’m going to go back to Slimming World.

Foods to eat before bed

One thing I am struggling with at this stage, however, is the temptation to snack between dinner and bedtime. Most people restrict themselves from eating before bedtime when they’re trying to shed excess pounds and this is what I’ve been trying to do. In actual fact, trying to sleep with a hungry tummy could negatively impact your weight-loss plan. A growling stomach could lead to a restless night, and you may find yourself waking up without energy and making unhealthy decisions the next day. As long as you’re eating something sensible, it’s perfectly fine to enjoy a bedtime snack from time to time.

Try these healthy foods to eat before bed to keep hunger pangs at bay, without sabotaging your slim-down efforts.

1. Whole grain cereals

Believe it or not, ending your day with a bowl of fibre-rich cereals can actually lower your body weight. Carbs are good for sleep they help to keep you satiated all night long, while breaking down fats. Partnering your cereal with skimmed or low-fat milk makes it an ideal bedtime snack, as you’ll get extra doses of vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium and cryptophan.

If increasing your levels of vitamin B12 and vitamin D is one of your current health goals, you might benefit from testing your vitamin D levels at regular intervals so you can track how you’re doing and consider whether you need to up your intake further.

2. Kiwi

Another delicious way to prevent sleep disruptions is by having two kiwis one hour before going to bed. This delicious fruit is rich in vitamins C and E, carotenoids and antioxidants. It also helps to prevent insomnia, thanks to its serotonin and folate content. It’s one of the most powerful superfoods that’s will help you boost a healthy diet, too.

Just make sure you don’t eat too many of them as it may cause allergic reactions in some people which can potentially mess with your sleep and keep you awake for a longer time.

3. Almonds

Almonds are rich in fibre that will keep you feeling full for a longer period of time. They are also known as one of the best fat-burning superfoods. Consuming about five grams of almonds every night will also help you to repair muscles and lose weight.

4. Sweet potatoes

Instead of eating unhealthy meals for dinner, have a baked sweet potato. It contains calcium, magnesium, and potassium that can help your body relieve stress. Furthermore, sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins A, C, B1 and B2, copper, dietary fibre, niacin, and phosphorus.

If you’re looking to promote hair growth, you might wish to consider adding more sweet potato to your diet, as the beta-carotene they contain is converted to vitamin A by your body – an essential nutrient for healthy hair

5. Spinach

When it comes to inducing sleep, sleep is among the Best Anti-Inflammatory Food to eat before bed. You can combine it with almond milk and banana for additional taste and health benefits. This vegetable is packed with vitamins B6 and C, folate and magnesium. It also contains glutamine, which helps the body eliminate cellular toxins.

6. Cottage cheese

Instead of trying to sleep with a rumbling stomach, enjoy a small amount of cottage cheese. This is one of the best foods to eat before bed because it boosts metabolism, controls hunger pangs in the morning and increases resting energy expenditure.

7. Bananas

Bananas are excellent sources of magnesium and potassium that can induce muscle relaxation. They contain sleep-regulating hormones, melatonin and serotonin, and have positive effects on sleep quality. Having a banana one hour before you sleep is also believed to make it easier for you to wake up. Magnesium is an extremely important mineral that helps regulate so many processes in the whole body. Consider supplementing it if you often have muscle cramps and difficulty falling asleep. It comes in various forms, but a magnesium lotion is thought to be one of the best-absorbing options.

8. Cherries

Cherries are not only a great way to satisfy your sweet cravings, but they will also help you to achieve a better sleep. Have a glass of cherry juice or a bowl of cherries before going to bed to improve your quality of sleep and benefit from the antioxidant properties.

Depriving yourself of a good night’s sleep contributes to weight gain, and an unhealthy diet can affect your sleep cycle. Even though you shouldn’t go to bed with a rumbling tummy, it is important to make sure that you do not eat large portions as it will be difficult for your body to digest the food during the night.

If you'd like to learn more about the best foods to eat before bedtime, consider hiring a nutritionist.

What are your favourite foods to eat before bed?

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