Food that helps children sleep
'Sleepy' Foods
What your child eats during the day impacts on their sleep during the night. Avoid sugary snacks and anything containing caffeine. Below is a list of foods that may aid sleep:-
Almonds contain magnesium which promote both sleep and muscle relaxation. They also help to keep blood sugar levels stable overnight.
Bananas are an excellent source of magnesium and potassium. They also contain tryptophan an amino acid that helps us to sleep but don't forget fruit contains sugar too. Blend one banana with one cup of milk or soya milk to make an ideal bedtime drink.
Dairy, yogurt, milk and cheese contain tryptophan helping us to nod ogg more easily. Calcium is effective in stress reduction and it's not true. . . cheese doesn't give you nightmares!
Oatmeal makes an excellent supper time choice, it's cheap and easy to prepare and has sleep inducing qualities. It's rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon and potassium, all of which help to promote better sleep. You could even add some banana on top.
Cherries particularly tart cherries have been found to naturally boost melatonin production. Drinking a glass of cherry juice (available at most natural food stores) has been proven to aid sleep. Alternatively try a serving of fresh, frozen or dried cherries before bedtime.
Cereal not only is it a healthy snack (make sure you top it with milk to give your body the protein it needs), but it also helps you to snooze. Complex carbohydrate-rich foods increase the availability of tryptophan in the bloodstream. Avoid sugar-coated cereals though, these will give your child a sugar rush and wake them up!
