Delicious Treats Before Bed

By Randi Morse 

Why does it always seem that no matter what we do, no matter how much we eat during the day, and no matter how much we plan, we tend to feel hungry right before bed? That bedtime hunger has been the downfall of many who have tried to change to a healthier lifestyle. What are you going to do when, right before you go to bed, your stomach is telling you that you are too hungry to sleep? Contrary to popular belief, eating something before bed isn't necessarily a bad thing. The trick is to go for something healthy that will curb your cravings. 

Cherry Juice 

Did you know that cherry juice is now being considered a superfood by many nutritional experts? Not only is cherry juice delicious, especially if you enjoy tart flavors, there have been many different health benefits discovered about cherry juice in the last handful of years. Cherry juice is loaded with antioxidants that help to get rid of inflammation and reduce pain. It also boosts immunity and can help to regulate your metabolism. As a bedtime snack, cherry juice is ideal. The results of one study show that having a little cherry juice before bed will have similar results to sleep-inducing natural herbs like valerian or melatonin. 

Dark Chocolate 

If your sweet tooth won't allow you to eat anything but something deliciously decadent, go for dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is much healthier for you than any other type of chocolate. A few squares of dark chocolate should satiate your sweet tooth. Chocolate increases the oxytocin in your body, also known as the "love hormone." If you want to get fancy, melt some of that dark chocolate in the microwave and pour it over some lightly salted popcorn, then you're hitting your sweet and your salty cravings at the same time! 

Cheese 

Did you know that cheese is a great food for those who struggle with insomnia? There are several different types of cheese that have tryptophan in them. You may remember that tryptophan is widely blamed for people falling asleep right after Thanksgiving dinner (in truth, it's likely because you're overeating, not because of the tryptophan). Tryptophan increases the melatonin in your body, and melatonin helps you to sleep. Cheddar cheese has the most tryptophan in it, making it a great choice for those sleepless nights. 

There are many different things you could eat before bed but remember to watch your carb intake. A large amount of carbohydrates directly before bed could cause your body to have to work hard in order to break those carbs down. A body that's working hard definitely isn't resting peacefully. 

For more information about your health and wellness, visit The Joint Chiropractic in Wake Forest, North Carolina.