The perfect dinner

Our animal protein consumption is out of balance. We do not eat enough at breakfast, but we consume far too much at dinner, which interferes with sleep. Indeed, animal protein stimulates alertness and motivation, which is great in the morning, but not so much at night.

Thus, it is recommended that you enjoy a vegetarian dinner, meaning no meat or fish. This type of meal will help calm the body and pave the way for good sleep.

1 – Plant-based protein

In the evening, you should opt for plant-based protein rather than animal protein. Animal protein promotes the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates the mind and jump-starts your motivation to tackle the day. While it is perfect in the morning to rev you up, at night the body needs serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for soothing and sleep regulation.

Serotonin is made from tryptophan, an amino acid found in plant-based protein, such as legumes, soy, brown rice, sunflower seeds and chocolate. This is why it is important to eat plant-based protein in the evening, especially because animal protein contains amino acids that compete with tryptophan and slow down its journey to the brain. As a result, it is not fully absorbed, which interferes with serotonin production and, therefore, sleep.

Furthermore, animal protein and fats (particularly when cooked) overburden your body at night. Foods that are high in animal protein and fat contain molecules that can take a long time to digest because they have to be cut up for digestion. This requires a lot of energy from the body and generates heat. And at night, the body temperature needs to come down to encourage sleep.

2 – Foods that promote restful sleep

Some foods encourage serotonin production and tryptophan absorption, which optimizes sleep quality:

	Walnuts and almonds. In addition to tryptophan, they contain magnesium, a lack of which can be associated with sleep disorders.
	Yogurt and cheese. These fermented dairy products contain tryptophan. Ideally, they should be made from goat or sheep milk.
	Carbohydrates (whole grains and fruits). Thanks to insulin secretion, the amino acids will be directed to the brain rather than the muscles. That will make room for tryptophan in the brain so it is more readily available for serotonin production.

3 – Vegetables

Vegetables should make up at least one-third of your dinner. They supply fiber, which promotes satiety and prevents snacking after dinner (see our article on fiber). Vegetables are especially important to combat hunger by compensating for the lack of animal protein at night. They also provide vitamins and minerals.

Plus, vegetables promote digestion and regularity to reduce bloating, flatulence and stomach aches
that can also interfere with sleep quality. If you have sensitivities, choose cooked vegetables because they are easier to digest than raw veggies.

Season your vegetables with one or two tablespoons of an oil rich in omega-3, such as canola oil, walnut oil or camelina oil.

The perfect dinner

In the evening, try to build a plate that has:

• 50% vegetables
• 50% legumes and/or whole grains. Compose your dinner based on what you had for lunch to maintain a varied diet.

If you need a dessert, the best bet is a fruit or a plain, unsweetened yogurt.

Finally, if you are still hungry, have a few nuts (ideally walnuts or almonds).