The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee What to Eat for a Better Sleep | Dr. Csilla Veress
Aug 26, 2025
Dr. Csilla Veress, a nutrition and lifestyle expert at TrueNorth Health Center, dives into the surprising connections between diet and sleep. She reveals how plant-based foods rich in magnesium and melatonin, like tart cherries and kiwis, can enhance sleep quality. Dr. Veress explains how fiber and the microbiome influence rest and discusses the effects of high-fat diets and late-night eating on sleep architecture. She also highlights the role of intermittent fasting in resetting our circadian rhythms, offering strategies for better sleep through dietary choices.
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Plants Improve Sleep Architecture
- Increasing plant foods reduces sleep latency and boosts REM sleep.
- Plants supply melatonin and magnesium that act like a natural sleep aid.
Time Your Meals To Reset Circadian Rhythm
- Eat larger meals earlier and smaller meals near bedtime and stop eating at least three hours before sleep.
- Try a 12-hour daily fast or intermittent fasting to reset your circadian food clock and improve sleep quality.
Fasting Often Lowers Sleep Temporarily
- TrueNorth patients often sleep less during prolonged fasts and may need monitoring.
- Staff will pause or modify fasts if sleep falls too low, then stabilize on juice for 2–3 days before returning.