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10 Foods to Make You Sleepy

Ellen MichaudEllen MichaudUpdated: Feb. 13, 2017

Carbohydrate foods that break down quickly during digestion have higher glycemic rankings. These foods may help you fall asleep in half the usual time if you eat them within 4 hours of bedtime by speeding up the release of tryptophan and serotonin, brain chemicals that promote sleep.

1. Jelly beans (80)

The index ranks various foods against pure glucose, which was given a score of 100. Learn more about glycemic index rankings and how the measures were developed.

Also: 16 Foods That Help You Sleep »

2. Bread. Plain bagel (72), French bread (95)

3. Snacks. Corn chips (72), pretzels (81), rice cakes (82), Saltine
crackers (74)

4. Cereal. Golden Grahams (71), Grapenuts Flakes (80), cornflakes (84)

5. Potatoes. Mashed potatoes (73), french fries (76), red baked
potatoes (93)

6. Instant rice (91)

7. Sweet snacks. Vanilla wafers (77), graham crackers (74)

8. Tofu dessert (115)

9. Watermelon (72)

10. Honey (73)

Also: 16 Foods That Help You Sleep »

Originally Published: April 06, 2009
Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest