What is a good bedtime snack for seniors?

Popcorn, oatmeal, sweet potato, and jasmine rice are great examples of whole grains which help aid in digestion, metabolism, and of course, sleep. Oatmeal is one of the best bedtime snack foods because it includes an abundance of sleep-inducing nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.

avanti-sl.com - Top 5 Snacks to Help Seniors Get a Good Night's Sleep

Can you reverse autoimmune damage?

A functional medicine approach to autoimmune disorders has the possibility of reversing the disease process by enabling your body to heal itself.

Last updated May 4, 2020

What should you not do after a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy Recovery: After the Procedure The effects of the sedation could last up to a day, so you should not drive or operate any machinery...

Last updated May 11, 2022

7-second natural hack eats through 64lbs of belly flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Eating Healthy To Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Did you know that what you eat can negatively (or positively) affect how you sleep? Think about it…you ate dinner and then went to sleep hours later, only to have your sleep interrupted by tossing and turning, acid reflux, or other digestive issues. If you have an aging loved one who complains about not getting enough sleep or waking up constantly during the night, a bedtime snack rich in nutrients just might help. Not only is a healthy diet important for helping reduce the risk of diseases and for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, it can actually help you sleep better at night. These 5 types of foods can help seniors get a good night’s sleep:

1) Heart-Healthy Fats

It may not seem like it, but “good” fats, also known as unsaturated fats, can help you sleep better at night. It’s known that unsaturated fats greatly improve your “heart health” by increasing your HDL (good) cholesterol and lowering your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Additionally, cholesterol “plays a major role in regulating serotonin levels in the brain”. Serotonin is a natural mood stabilizer that helps you sleep. Some of the best sources of heart-healthy fats include avocados and nuts such as cashews, pistachios, walnuts, and almonds. Almonds are not only a good source of good fats, but also magnesium, which supports muscle relaxation and sleep.

2) High/Lean Protein

We’ve all felt the lethargy that hits us after finishing off a plate of Thanksgiving dinner. The reason is that turkey is a lean protein that is high in tryptophan, an amino acid that increases serotonin levels in your brain and causes sleepiness. Foods that are high in protein not only promote sleep but reduce the risk of acid reflux which can cause difficulty sleeping. If you’re having trouble sleeping try eating a rice cake with turkey, bananas, and peanut butter, or cheese and crackers. These food combinations work together to help encourage sleep.

3) Nutrient-Rich Fruits

Many but not all fruits are known to contain sleep-promoting minerals such as magnesium and potassium. Bananas are one of the best examples of a nutrient-rich fruit, containing magnesium, potassium, and tryptophan all of which help promote sleep by increasing melatonin and serotonin levels. Cherries and/or cherry juice is another great example of a fruit that’s rich in nutrients. They contain antioxidants which are essential in supporting the immune system as well as your eyes, heart, mood, and memory. Cherries also include melatonin, which aids in inducing sleep. Other fruits such as common figs, papayas, pineapples, and watermelon are high in magnesium, which is known to calm anxiety, help you fall asleep, and aid in digestion. So, if your elderly loved one is having trouble sleeping, offer him or her a bowl of fruit.

What home remedy can I drink to lower my blood pressure?

A great natural remedy for high blood pressure is drinking blueberry juice or garlic water on a daily basis. In addition, various herbs prepared in...

Last updated Dec 30, 2021

What vegetables can I juice together?

Here are some fruits and vegetables that bring out the best in each other when juiced together. Banana and Spinach - Vitamins, Vitamins, Vitamins....

Last updated Sep 28, 2021

Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

4) Warm Drinks

You may have heard the old saying, “if you can’t sleep, drink warm milk”. There actually may be something to this saying since dairy products contain tryptophan, which mentioned earlier, promotes sleep. These products also contain calcium which helps control melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate sleep. Adding honey and nutmeg to your warm milk adds additional sleep aids to get you to sleep faster. Caffeine-free herbal teas such as chamomile, valerian, or green tea are great sleep aids and known to promote relaxation and help induce sleep. Chamomile tea is an herbal remedy known for helping reduce anxiety, insomnia, and other health problems by acting as a mild sedative. Valerian root tea is another natural sedative with antioxidants that help to calm the nerves. Green tea is one of the oldest and most popular teas in the world. It contains theanine, an amino acid that helps lower stress and supports good sleep. Check out this link that provides recipes for 3 natural drinks to help get better sleep: http://everydayroots.com/sleep-aid-drinks.

5)Complex Carbohydrates

There’s usually a stigma associated with the word “carbohydrates”; but actually non-refined carbs (complex carbohydrates) contain fiber and natural sugars, both of which are essential for the body. Some sources of complex carbohydrates include fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, beans, seeds, nuts, and whole grains. Popcorn, oatmeal, sweet potato, and jasmine rice are great examples of whole grains which help aid in digestion, metabolism, and of course, sleep. Oatmeal is one of the best bedtime snack foods because it includes an abundance of sleep-inducing nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. The bottom line is…if you or a loved one is having trouble falling or staying asleep, try one of these food remedies. The answer to wandering off to dreamland just might be found in your own kitchen.

avanti-sl.com - Top 5 Snacks to Help Seniors Get a Good Night's Sleep

How do I flush excess estrogen from my body?

Exercise regularly. Research suggests that exercise can help to reduce high estrogen levels. Premenopausal women who engage in aerobic exercise for...

Last updated Mar 8, 2018

What is the best juice to detox your body?

Here's a list of 9 classic detox drinks to help you after the festival. 1) Hot Apple Punch. 2) Orange And Ginger Detox Drink. 3) Orange And Carrot...

Last updated Dec 24, 2018

Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Do smaller people live longer?

Multiple studies have found a correlation between height and longevity. Short people have been found to resist certain diseases such as cancer, and...

Last updated May 12, 2019

Purple mojito “devours” 57lbs of flab?

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Why is ice cream unhealthy?

Most ice cream is high in calories and added sugar while low in nutrients. Although low-fat and no-sugar-added choices are commonly marketed as...

Last updated Aug 12, 2018