Dinner with a difference
The 5 best snacks and drinks before bed
© anaumenko / Adobe Stock
We often only realize how important good sleep is when we don’t get enough of it. Inner peace and balance for the next day depend to a large extent on how much strength we can recharge during the night. In fact, our diet also plays an important role.
A balanced diet is important for our health. Our five tips show how you can use it to influence your sleep and which insider tips from the kitchen can help you to have a relaxing night.
1. Appearances are deceptive
Especially in warm summer temperatures, light dishes such as salads are a tasty alternative on the plate. But did you know that salad is far from helpful when trying to influence a peaceful night’s sleep? Raw food in particular is a real spoilsport. Next time, avoid eating raw vegetables before bed – they are difficult to digest and therefore require a lot of energy and can quickly rob you of sleep.
2. Princess and the (chick)pea
Chickpeas can be used in many ways. Delicious in curry, roasted from the oven or classically known as hummus, they not only taste good when prepared, but can also reliably transport you to the land of dreams. would you have known Among other things, they are real insider tips because of their sleep-promoting calcium and magnesium content. And by the way, they are also super healthy and taste really good. A real change from unhealthy chips. Next time, feel free to grab chickpeas – a good night’s sleep is almost guaranteed.
3. Almonds: Small but mighty
Very inconspicuous at first glance, almonds are true all-rounders when it comes to a relaxed sleep. If you get cravings for snacks in the evening, you can grab them boldly. Rich in nutrients, just a handful of almonds can provide you with almost 20 percent of your daily magnesium requirement. Due to their high melatonin content, they are a real insider tip for a quiet night, because this hormone has a sleep-promoting effect.
4. Green secret weapon
Looking into the fruit basket, it looks almost unspectacular, but the kiwi is a real miracle. Several studies research the effect of the small fruit in relation to better sleep and agree: the kiwi is one of the best foods to eat before going to bed. According to a study kiwis have an enormously positive influence on the quality of sleep. If you have trouble falling asleep, you should definitely put the fruit on your shopping list before your next visit to the supermarket.
5. Herbs for inner peace
When it comes to sleep, teas are real all-rounders. Before going to bed, it is therefore advisable to end the day with a cup of herbal tea. Lemon balm or lavender in particular can help you get through the night calmly and relaxed. They have a calming effect and are therefore not only good against excitement, but can also influence a deep sleep.
Source: healthline.com, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov