Does Intermittent Fasting Really Help You Sleep Better? Experts Explain

Sleep-promoting foods run the gamut, and experts have their own top-tier lists—but they all agree, on some level, that colorful, magnesium-rich plants are a fabulous choice. See, magnesium is a mineral that's important for lots of functions in the body, including sleep1, and many people skimp on it2 (i.e., almost half the nation).* "Nuts, seeds, whole grains, leafy greens, legumes—these are magnesium-dense foods that should go into your [grocery] cart," our director of scientific affairs and in-house nutritionist Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN, told us on the mindbodygreen podcast. 

Here's the gist: According to Ferira, consuming meals in consistent daily windows of less than 12 hours "is linked to less obesity, better metabolic health, and—guess what!—better sleep." On the flip side, they found that "eating over a longer window and/or frequently changing that window is linked to exactly the opposite," she says. 

The logic makes sense, as if you have an eating window of more than 12 hours, chances are you're eating later in the night—and if that meal is super hearty or excessively sweet or spicy, it might mess with your slumber. "Our largest meals should not ever be close to bedtime," Ferira adds, and plenty of research3 has associated late dinners or eating more calories late in the evening and short sleep duration (less than five hours). Of course, a growling, empty stomach can keep you up at night as well, so you do want to listen to your natural body cues if you are hungry at night—just opt for one of these foods that keep blood sugar levels steady and provide relaxing benefits.