To Sleep a Little Better Every Day, Here's What You Should Eat

A cup of chamomile tea. A glass of warm milk. The classic turkey sandwich. Certain foods and drinks have a reputation for making us sleepy.

However, it may not be a particular snack that does the trick. A growing body of research suggests that consistency with certain diets, particularly those built around lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and dairy can have a positive effect on sleep quality and duration. It takes time for our bodies to extract and use the nutrients, experts said, so it might be best to think of the food-sleep connection as a marathon instead of a sprint.

"It is more beneficial to focus on whole dietary pattern changes rather than trying to focus on one magic food," said Erica Jansen, assistant professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

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