Did you notice my Facebook post yesterday – Sleep Better with a Cherry Smoothie – was even more warmly received than usual? It set me wondering if help with getting a better night’s sleep was something many folks need, so I did a little research and found a stack of smoothie recipes specifically designed to help you sleep better.
Look out for a selection of these over the next few days, and in the meantime, here’s a great one to start – from Ryan Carmody of healthysmoothiehq.com. I really like his concise style, with info on exactly how each ingredient contributes to helping us sleep better.
Check out the recipe below and let me know what you think.
Ryan says ...
“Can something this healthy really taste so good? Absolutely!”
Ryan CarmodyAre you having trouble sleeping at night? Say goodbye to insomnia and hello to a good night’s sleep full of sweet dreams with this smoothie.
Most people aren’t getting enough sleep at night for one reason or another and their health and way of life is suffering because of it. Fortunately, there are several foods that blend well in a smoothie that are known to induce a good night’s sleep.
These foods contain substances such as magnesium, a natural sedative, melatonin, sleep regulator, and serotonin, another chemical that induces sleep.
How Do These Ingredients Help Me Sleep Better?
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Warm Milk: This is probably a familiar sleep remedy for most people. The calcium in milk helps you relax and the tryptophan helps you fall asleep.
If you don’t do milk, substitute a warm tea such as Chamomile or Valerian, or cherry juice.
Banana: They contain melatonin and serotonin, which help you sleep soundly, and magnesium, a muscle relaxant.
Cherries: A natural food source of melatonin, which helps regulate sleep.
Nutmeg: Acts as a natural relaxant and helps induce sleep.
Honey: Used for years as a natural sleep aid, honey contributes to the release of melatonin.
Other notable ingredients included as add-ons.
Flax seeds: Their high amounts of tryptophan and omega-3 fatty acids increase levels of the sleep-regulating serotonin.
Almonds: A good source of magnesium, which promotes sleep and muscle relaxation.
Cacao: Another good source of magnesium, but be careful with this one, some people feel more alert after consuming.
Recipe: Sweet Dreams Smoothie
Ingredients (Serves 1; 199 calories)
1/2 cup warm Milk*
1/2 fresh medium Banana
1/2 cup pitted Cherries**
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 teaspoon Honey
*Don't like milk? You can substitute a warm tea such as Chamomile or Valerian, or cherry juice.
** Cherries can be bought frozen. However, is you don't want a frozen drink at night, then put them out to defrost first.
Add-ons
1 tablespoon Flax Seeds
1/4 cup Almonds
1/2 tablespoon Cacao powder
Blend all ingredients at high speed for 30-45 seconds or until your desired consistency is reached.
Source: Ryan Carmody
Photo: DrinkMeHealthy.com
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