Nutritionists Reveal The Last Thing They Eat And Drink Before Bed — Some Of It Will Surprise You

Sleepy girl mocktails, yogurt and even chocolate chips top their “nighty night” lists.

There’s so much emphasis on eating foods that provide lots of energy all day long, but it’s just as important to make good nutritional choices that support restful slumber at night. Those hours leading up to bedtime can help set the stage for a blissful night’s sleep, so we consulted nutrition experts about their own nighttime choices.

Nighttime Starts With Breakfast — Wait, Hear Us Out

Everything you’ve eaten during the day could have an impact on your sleep that night.

“We know that exercise during the day promotes better sleep, and, in a similar way, eating balanced meals throughout the day leads to fewer cravings and snacking,” said registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) Emily Villaseca. “If you’re trying to squeeze in a meal at the end of the day, or find yourself mindlessly or uncontrollably snacking, I’d encourage you to look beyond those last couple of hours and see how your whole day of eating is impacting your sleep hygiene.”

After a day full of good choices, you arrive at dinnertime, where the goal is a balance of protein, vegetables, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates, said RDN Marissa Karp. If you choose turkey or fish, which are high in tryptophan, that might help with sleep later on, she said. “It’s an amino acid that promotes serotonin production and can help make you sleepy.”