Sleepy Time Snacking

Did you know blood sugar dysregulation can cause insomnia? Having some fat in a snack before bed can help stabilize your blood sugar and give you better sleep. Some foods have specific properties that will help you get a good night’s rest. If you’d like to visit your kitchen pharmacy for sleep-aids, try some of these sleep super foods, or combine them into a delicious treat!

Tart Cherries: cherries’ dark red color hints at their traditional function of ‘nourishing the blood’ which promotes sleep and relaxation. Western research has shown they contain melatonin precursors and other sleep-promoting substances. You can drink their juice in a mocktail, eat a handful of dried ones or blitz with oats and seeds for a tangy energy ball.

Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds are packed with tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin and melatonin, as well as rich in calming minerals magnesium and calcium. Traditionally, black sesame seeds have the strongest effect to nourish the blood and promote sleep

Oats: Although we usually think of them as breakfast, oats are a sleep superfood. Traditionally they nourish the Heart Blood, a specific function in Chinese Medicine that calms the spirit and encourages restful sleep. Western research has identified oats as rich in both melatonin and magnesium.

Sleepytime Sesame Snacks

• ½ cup tahini/sesame seed butter

• 1/2 cup rolled oats

• 5-6 medjool dates (about ½ cup). Tip: if your dates are not soft, soak them in warm water for 5 minutes before draining and using in the recipe. Dates are also a source of tryptophan!

• ¼ cup dried tart cherries

• ¼ cup black sesame seeds

• Optional: pinch of salt

Combine in a food processor and pulse until combined but still chunky. Using wet hands, roll into balls. Store in an airtight container and enjoy one or two as a soothing snack!