8 foods that will help you sleep better, according to nutritionists

8 foods that will help you sleep better, according to nutritionists

What you eat before you go to sleep can influence – positively or negatively – your night's sleep. Experts reveal eight foods that will help you sleep better, given your nutrients.

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06/09/2026
by

Mariline Right Rodrigues

Dorder well is essential for the health of the organism and there are several factors that influence a good night's sleep, among them, feeding.

 

In view of this, experts have revealed the Real Simple the eight best sleeping foods. Make a note.

1. Tomato

Being a potassium source, vitamin C and antioxidants, tomatoes contribute to various aspects of general health, especially immune, cardiovascular and ocular health. 

“ Tomatoes are a plant source of melatonin and cooked and canned tomatoes are rich in lycopene and other carotenoids, all associated with a good night’s sleep, from seven to eight hours,” says nutritionist Kelly Burgess.

2. Cherries

“ Cherries are a natural source of melatonin, tryptophan, magnesium and antioxidants ", highlights the nutritionist. 

3. Nuts and seeds 

There are many people who like to eat nuts and seeds at the end of the afternoon and even at night. And the truth is these contribute to a better night's sleep. 

“Nuts and seeds contain various nutrients that favor sleep in a small portion. They are plant sources of tryptophan and provide vitamins B6 and folate, as well as magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc. Chia seeds, linseed, hemp and nuts also contain antioxidants that help in sleep”. 

4. Turkey 

When it comes to tryptophan-rich foods, turkey is one of the foods on the list. 

“If you are hungry before sleeping, try eating some slices of turkey with whole biscuits and/or cheese. It is a protein-rich snack that provides tryptophan, the amino acid that the body uses to produce hormones that promote sleep”.

5. Kiwi

Kiwi is rich in nutrients that do well to the intestine and can contribute to a restorative sleep. “Kiwi can be a great snack before bedtime. It contains nutrients such as serotonin and antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, which can help promote healthy sleep.”. 

You can combine this fruit with Greek yogurt and some nuts.

6. Dark leaf vegetables

Whether kale or spinach, dark leaf vegetables can help you sleep better. “They are a source of tryptophan, as well as vitamins of complex B necessary for the production of serotonin. They also provide magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc, minerals that help protect against interrupted sleep and short sleep.”. 

7. Cooked eggs

In addition to being a source of tryptophan, as Kishner points out, they are also rich in B-complex vitamins, “necessary for the body to produce GABA and serotonin, which help promote a restorative sleep”.

8. Edamame

Edamame (grain soup) cooked in addition to tasty, contributes to a good night's sleep. “Many people associate tryptophan only with animal protein, but plant proteins like soy are also sources. Soya offers additional nutrients that help in sleep, including vitamins of complex B and minerals, in addition to providing antioxidant isoflavones,” says Burgess. 

“Sedative effect”. What happens if you eat this before bed?

Thanks to nutrients and compounds such as tryptophan, magnesium and melatonin can fall asleep more easily. But do you know what foods really have a “sedative” effect? Doctors simplify.

Inês Morais Monteiro

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