EAT YOUR WAY TO BETTER SLEEP

Hint: it includes chocolate, bread and cheese!

- Amber Bramble

You've probably heard the old saying that eating cheese before bedtime can cause bad dreams. However, while it's true some foods can sabotage your chance of getting a good night's rest, you'll be thankful to know this isn't one of them.

"It's a myth that cheese gives you nightmares," Dr Michael Mosley from The Fast 800 tells Woman's Day.

In fact, a small serve of cheese is one of the better snack choices you can make if you're feeling hungry late at night, thanks to the amino acid tryptophan.

"Tryptophan can be found in milk and dairy products, turkey and chicken, fish, oats, nuts and seeds," Dr Mosley explains. "It's a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, which in turn is a precursor to melatonin - our sleep hormone."

Other tryptophan-rich sources include bananas, wholegrain bread and dark chocolate. While we're not recommending you go to bed with a full stomach, the meals you eat during the day also affect your sleep quality. Add the following foods to your next shopping list!

GOOD FATS & CARBS

Simple carbohydrates (including cake and lollies) are a recipe for insomnia, but complex carbs like legumes and vegies can enhance your sleep quality. Dr Mosley also suggests incorporating plenty of healthy fats, including olive oil and fatty fish varieties like salmon.

"These foods are high in oleic acid, omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols, which all happen to be anti-inflammatory compounds," he explains.