Eat your way to better sleep with Famous Foods

Are you tossing and turning every night? Counting sheep until you see the morning light? 

If this sounds familiar, you may want to take a closer look at what you’re eating.

The good news is that a few simple diet tweaks might help you enjoy a better night’s sleep.

We have been keeping Vancouver stocked with health foods and natural eats for over 90 years–that's a lot of knowledge on how food affects how you feel (including whether you're sleeping like a baby or wide awake all night).

Snooze-friendly superfoods

For those who have a harder time getting to sleep, there are foods rich in sleep-enhancing nutrients like magnesium, tryptophan and melatonin. Eating these foods can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Almonds and walnuts: These tiny powerhouses are loaded with melatonin and magnesium, both of which can help to promote relaxation.

Bananas: Packed with potassium and magnesium, bananas can help your muscles relax and prepare your body for a good night’s rest.

Kiwi: These tropical fruits are rich in serotonin, which helps to control sleep cycles. Plus, they’re delicious!

Oatmeal: Warm, comforting and loaded with sleep-promoting carbs, oatmeal before bed can boost your melatonin levels and calm your nervous system.

Chamomile tea: More than a calming cup of tea, chamomile contains apigenin, a known antioxidant that can promote relaxation and calm anxiety.

Things to avoid before bedtime

Some foods and drinks are saboteurs to your sleep, here are some to avoid if you’re looking to catch some quality ZZZs:

Caffeine: Coffee, black tea and energy drinks are obvious but chocolate has caffeine in it too. And if you're sensitive to caffeine, even a little bit will keep you on the go.

Spicy foods: Mid-night heartburn? No thanks. Spicy foods can cause digestive issues that disrupt sleep.

Heavy meals: Big evening dinners keep your body working overtime on digestion, making it harder to settle down.

Alcohol: Sure, a nightcap will knock you out but it will also ruin your REM sleep and you’ll be waking up in the morning feeling groggy.

Better sleep can start in the kitchen

A good night's sleep starts with what’s on your plate, so let us at Famous Foods help you get the rest you deserve.

Sweet dreams and happy snacking!