These Surprising Foods Can Help You Sleep Better

You already know that if you don't get enough sleep, your health pays the price. Sleep loss can ruin your memory and concentration, it can make you gain weight, and it makes it harder to get out of bed early and hit the gym.

But even if you’re committed to logging the recommended 7 to 8 hours a night in bed, you might still find yourself tossing and turning when the lights go out. You’re not alone: Up to 1 in 3 adults say they occasionally experience insomnia, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

It’s no surprise that certain foods or drinks - think coffee, alcohol, and even too much sugar - can make your sleep woes worse. But you might not realize that others can actually help you sleep better.

The oft-touted Mediterranean diet is particularly good for sleep, says Kristen Kizer, R.D., L.D., a registered clinical dietitian at Houston Methodist Hospital. "A 2018 study showed adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with increased sleep quality, which makes sense given with what we know about foods that are bad for sleep," such as refined carbs and sugar, says Kizer.

Want some more specific recs? Here are just a few sleep-inducing foods and drinks that can help you rest easy.