A good night’s sleep is crucial, no matter what age you are. Even seniors, their bodies need the time to rest, recover, and process the day’s events. Diet has a lot to do with how well a person sleeps. If your senior struggles with normal sleeping patterns, it’s time to look at what they are consuming throughout the day, and especially before bed.
Your senior loved one may be unwinding with a warm cup of tea, but if that tea is something like green tea or Earl Gray tea, it could be keeping them up at night. Some foods can energize a senior or help them relax to wind down for the night. Here are foods you should pay attention to.
Look for the Right Fruits
There are certain nutrient-dense fruits that a senior should be eating every day, or even just a few times a week. Minerals like magnesium and potassium, found in many fruits, aid in restful sleep. Reason is that they have a sedative effect on the neurological system and help loosen up the muscles. Bananas are a great option for a light snack before bed. It is high in magnesium and potassium, and is also a good source of the amino acid tryptophan. The brain turns tryptophan into melatonin, a hormone that aids sleep. Cherries are another fantastic option, since they contain melatonin. Magnesium is abundant in peaches, apricots, and apples. So, if your elderly loved one has trouble sleeping and needs something to eat, a bowl of fruits may be the finest option.
Understand What Lean Proteins Are
Lean protein is also high in tryptophan, which is why most of us wind up in a “food coma” after too much turkey or chicken during the holidays. Choose whole-grain toast with an egg, crackers with a piece of low-fat cheese, or a banana with peanut butter. Eating before bed can be useful, but eating too much meat or heavy food before bed can also negatively impact your senior. Home care can help fix them with a small snack that will help a senior produce more melatonin.
Find the Right Complex Carbs
Whole grains, sweet potatoes, and oats are high in complex carbs. These meals are especially helpful before night, since they enhance tryptophan. Home care can help a senior by making oatmeal before bed, which is rich in potassium, fiber, magnesium, and phosphorus. There may be other complex carbs that can help your senior sleep at night, ask their doctor for further recommendations.
Use Warm Drinks
Some seniors may like to unwind with a warm drink. However, you must ensure they drink decaffeinated teas and nothing with caffeine. Finding an herbal tea or even a glass of warm milk can help a senior relax enough to fall asleep easily. However, too much liquid before bed may also be an issue for your senior. They may need to start drinking their teas early to get the benefits and ensure they have no accidents throughout the night. When they drink right before bed, they may get up too often to use the bathroom, and it could disrupt their sleeping schedule.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Home Care in Marina Del Ray, CA, please call Mom's Home Care and talk to our friendly, knowledgeable staff.
Our number is 323-244-4789.
