Try eating foods with tryptophan before bed for better sleep tonight.
You’ve likely heard that eating turkey makes people especially sleepy thanks to the sleep-inducing amino acid called tryptophan that it contains. Turns out there is science behind that tale. Some research shows that foods with tryptophan help your body product serotonin, which helps promote sleepiness. And there are foods with even more tryptophan than turkey. Try one or more of these tonight:
- Walnuts
- Pumpkin seeds
- Soy foods
- Shellfish
- Eggs
- Whole grains, like oatmeal
- Dairy products
Carbohydrates help your brain use tryptophan. Proteins are the building blocks of tryptophan. So combinations of carbs and proteins can pack a bedtime punch. Try hummus on whole-grain crackers, cereal with milk, or peanut butter on whole-wheat bread.
Article from the StayWell Company, LLC