When it comes to eating late at night, we usually wonder which foods are okay for our diet and health and which are a big No.
We know already that fatty foods, or sugary ones are not good no matter what hour it is, but if we consider that fruits and vegetables are healthy, is it okay to eat them late at night? And are bananas one of those fruit.
Nutritional information and beneficial effects of bananas
Bananas are very healthy, there is no doubt about it. Their nutritional value is very high and they are rich in various nutrients. Here we will list some of them.
Bananas contain a high amount of carbohydrates. The amount of carbohydrates is bigger if the bananas are unriped. So, the greener the banana is the more carbohydrates it has. Sugars that are found in banans are mostly fructose, but there are other types of sugar types. The sugar in bananas comes very easily to our bloodstream, and if you ever feel low energy or tired out, eat a banana. This is why they are recommended after exhausting training.
Bananas also contain a lot of potassium. This component is important for our heart health. He also normalizes our blood pressure and prevents heart attack. Potassium lowers our blood pressure and it gets it in the normal rates. So, high potassium diet is very recommended for people with heart disease and high blood pressure.
Banans also contain sterol, which protects our cardiovascular health. This component acts like cholesterol and prevents bad cholesterol from building and absorbing. Banans are high in fiber as well. The fiber in bananas is water dissolving fiber. This helps with heart disease and makes our blood pressure stay in the normal rates.
Fiber is also known to be beneficial for our digestion as well. They will meet your daily needs for fibers. The types of fiber found in banana are actually Pectin fibers. When banana is ripen, the amount of this fiber increases and this is why they become softer after they fully grow. Fibers keep us full and maintain balance in our digestive system, so they are recommended for everybody.
Since these healthy foods are rich in various nutrients, minerals and vitamins, they are very beneficial for those who practice sports and any other activity that is physically exhausting and hard on our body.
Eating bananas at night
Eating late at night is not such a good idea, but if our stomach is crawling, then it is better to calm it because it might keep us awake or even wake us up during the night. So, when it comes to grabing a snack, it is important to know what is off limits and what is safe.
When it comes to bananas, they are definitely a recommended food. Since they are so rich in magnesium, potassium, other minerals and vitamins and fiber, they are a great option. Some food naturally induce sleep, so if you are searching for them bananas are the answer. If you don0t feel hungry, then they can be very good for inducing sleep and making you fall asleep, which is the most important thing.
When it comes to dietary restrictions, this is a whole another field. Eating before bed can be dangerous for your diet if you have already eaten too much that day. But on the other hand, it is better to take a banana, than for example a big slice of cake. They will keep you feeling full for the rest of the night, and on the average, a banana has about 100-200 calories, which is an okay snack before bed.
For people who have troubles with certain minerals, in the sense they lack them, bananas are again great choice. They will make up for those nutrients that are probably keeping them awake. Amongst those nutriets, magnesium is the most important one. He keeps insomnia away, and since bananas are full of magnesium, they represent the perfect choice. Night cramps are a common side effect of magnesium defficiency, and if this deficit is high they might even wake you up at night.
Alnogside with magnesium, we have potassium. These two components work together, and bring up sleep and keep us peaceful at night. Again, cramping and feeling exhausted but not enogh for sleep to come, could be the side effects. So, bananas in this case, work for both cases.
Tryptophan helps our body sleep and relax. Since banans are rich in this beneficial component as well, make sure to put them on your list. He controls our body temperature, our release of hormones and sleeping routine so it is very important to not lack this beneficial component which is found in bananas.
Vitamin B, especially vitamin B6 is necessary for our body to relax and go to sleep. We need to have this vitamin in our body, and the best way to get it is through fresh vegetables and fruit. Since, vitamin supplements are not always the best choice. Banans will not only provide you enough vitamin B, but they will make you feel full and ready for a whole night sleep.
Banana before bed diet
If you go to bed hungry, the obvious result is waking up starving and eating everything that is on your way. This is a natural human process, after feeling hungry for a long period of time, our cravings increase, and we have hard time getting them back to normal.
So, instead of eating your regular breakfast, you might reach for something sweet, to increase your insulin levels, or perhaps something too fatty and not so good for you. The best way to avoid this from happening, you should eat a banana before bed, to keep your body satisfied with all the vitamins, minerals, fibers and other beneficial nutrients it needs.
This is also an easy way to fulfill your craving late at night, because they almost act as a meal, due to all their components, so you don’t have to prepare something complicated and feel too lazy to do it. So both easy and healthy solution. Bananas will help our body recognize all the nutrients, and by morning you will not feel so hungry, that you need a big meal.
In some case sutied, it has been shown that participants who ate bananas right before bed, felt less hungry in the morning. They didn’t feel the need to reach out for sugary foods, or fatty ones, and they felt comfortable with fulfilling their daily diet plans. Others, who went to bed hungry or ate something not on the recommended list, felt the need to make up for the craving they felt during sleep, and had to fight to get their insullin levels back to the normal.
Other recommended foods before bed
To satisfy your hunger at night and also bring yourself to sleep, you can also choose some of these snacks, that will keep you sleeping like a baby, and with no hunger in sight.
You can try eating cherries. They are actually recommended for sleep problems, since the chemical inside them regulates our bodies sleep routine, and makes us ready for bed in no time.
Drinking a glass of warm milk can also be helpful. Of course, avoid this if you are lactose intolerant, or choose the type that is recommended for you. Milk, like bananas contains tryptophan, which regulates sleep as I mentioned earlier.
You can also try preparing some rice for yourself, and especially Jasmine rice. Due to it’s natural sleep inducing components, you will be sleeping short after your snack.
Cereals can also help with sleeping problems, and taming your hunger. Use the ones that are high in fiber and not too sugary ones, so that you can feel full for the whole night and sleep peacefully.
Turkey meat contains tryptophan as well, so grab a slice or two of some turkey meat, and when preparing it, try to use methods that are diet friendly and not too fatty.
Another food you can eat to induce sleep is sweet potato. Prepare it in your owen with no oil, and let the carbohydrates from it help you feel sleepy and ready for bed.
Tea and coffee are out of the question, but Valerian tea can actually help you sleep. He contains he not only induces sleep but also helps with the quality of sleep, and makes us more relaxed and ready for bed. Catnip and chamomile are recommended as well.
So, in conclusion, bananas are overall a very healthy food. They will not only help you sleep, but they will also keep you on track, as far as your diet goes. They contain a high amount of beneficial nutrients, that are helpful and necessary for our bodies, not only at night but throughout the day. So, feel free to include bananas in your everyday meal plan.
Potassium and magnesium will help you fight insomnia, while other components in bananas, such as fiber, will keep you feeling full. The reasons for eating before bed can be different, but what ever your reason is, you can be sure bananas are the right answer for all of them.
