When deciding what you are going to have for lunch or dinner, it probably never pops into your head to think of how this food will help you sleep. However, picking certain foods can help you to get the good night’s sleep we desperately need to stay healthy and full of energy.

Walnuts

Walnuts may not be the first things that comes to mind when you think of foods that can help you get to sleep, but they contain a lot of beneficial components that facilitate great sleep. A study from the University of Texas showed that walnuts are a source of melatonin, which helps to regulate our body clocks.

Walnuts are also a great food to cook with and are very versatile, from being a simple topping for ice cream to a major element of a dish. They can also fit into to any diet, from a vegan diet to a paleo diet, making them an excellent choice for pretty much anyone.

Fish

It might be surprising, but fish is a great thing to add to your diet to get a better night’s sleep. This is because fish contains vitamin B-6, which is used in the production of melatonin and is also beneficial to brain function. Salmon, halibut and tuna are the best sources of B-6, which is great news for sushi lovers.

Due to the variety of fish available, it is incredibly easily to cook a dish that fits any mood. Salmon is a particularly easy dish to pair with a number of healthy and tasty recipes which you can cook quickly and easily.

Rice

Rice is known to have a number of great benefits, so helping you sleep is just another benefit to add to the list. Rice is high in GI, which helps to regulate your blood sugar levels, thereby allowing you to get to sleep faster. Jasmine rice is considered to be much more effective when compared to other types of rice.

The great thing about rice is that it can be used for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert. From Paella to rice pudding, there are plenty of delicious and nutritious meals that can incorporate rice.

Tea

There are many people who have a cup of tea to help themselves release their stress and relax. The reason why tea is so effective at aiding relaxation is because it contains glycine, an amino acid which helps to relax your muscles. Relaxed muscles are a sure way to a good night’s sleep, so tea rates highly on our list.

Chamomile tea is believed to have the highest amount of glycine out of all teas, so it would be the best choice. You should also consider adding a bit of honey to your tea, as honey is also considered to encourage sleep.

Bananas

We often think of bananas as being a food that will make our bodies sing, and give us the energy boost we need. However, they can also help us get to sleep. This is because bananas contain potassium, which is a good source of vitamin B-6.

If you’re looking to incorporate bananas into your diet, banana bread may be the best way to go. Or having sliced bananas on bread is a delicious snack, especially if you use whole wheat bread, which is another sleep inducing food.

Bear these foods in mind the next time you need a good night’s sleep!