Red meat and other proteins
The problem is that red meat is loaded with proteins and fats that will keep your body hard at work throughout the night. To achieve a deeper sleep, you ideally want all your systems at peace — and meat takes longer to digest than any other foods.
Don’t avoid red meats altogether, as they have high levels of iron and tryptophan, which helps sleep. Just don’t eat it right before bed, or your body will be busy breaking it down all night.
So what *is* good to eat before bed? A banana? A small cup of plain yogurt w/ fruit? A cheese stick and crackers?
I think a good alternative to alcohol is peppermint or chamomile tea. Chilled in the summer, warm in the winter.
Cheese and wheat crackers—whole wheat—is always a good bet. For drinking before bed, I like a double-milk steamed decaf java or tea