Snacking before sleep isn’t really recommended, but sometimes it’s necessary. Here’s what to grab, according to nutritionists . . .
⇒ Walnuts: You should aim to eat foods that give you the most nutritional bang for your buck without being high maintenance, so these are a good choice. A ton of nutrients and heart-healthy fats.
⇒ Banana: They contain potassium, which is a natural muscle relaxant, which should help you sleep. They also contain tryptophan, which improves mood and assists in a good sleep. (Besides, that banana will probably go bad by morning…)
⇒ Chocolate-covered nuts: NOW you’re talking! You’re probably looking for something sweet, so try nuts covered in dark chocolate. It satisfies hunger, thanks to the blood-stabilizing protein and healthy fat from the nuts. Just be aware that chocolate contains caffeine.
⇒ Greek yogurt with almonds and berries: It’s great because it has a balance of protein, carbs and fat. This combo before bed helps keep blood sugar balanced and keeps you from waking due to low glucose.
⇒ Rice cake with peanut butter: The PB has protein and fat, and rice cakes have carbs. As mentioned above, that trio is great for keeping blood sugar balanced throughout the night. (But they’re probably talking about that fake “real” peanut butter, aren’t they?)
⇒ Dried shiitake mushrooms: They are one of the best sources of plant-based vitamin D, which is integral to a good night’s rest. Maybe you don’t have these lying around the house, but you can either buy mushroom jerky(!), or sauté the mushrooms ahead of time and keep them in the fridge to reheat. (OK, we’ve just officially jumped the shark!)
(Somehow, this team of nutritional experts has totally overlooked the leftover half-pizza that’s been sitting in the box on the counter and calling my name since dinnertime…)
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