Advice On Foods To Eat To Help You Sleep

by JohnG

posted on 10/20/2009

Let's face it ... sometimes it's difficult to fall asleep. We toss and turn and can't seem to get ourselves comfortable. Our minds race and our bodies can't seem to relax. Perhaps its stress, or perhaps it is just because we didn't eat the right foods to put us in a sleepy frame of mind.

Yes, there are foods that promote sleep. Here are some that are high on the list, based on scientific finding and research studies. Some of them you may have heard of ... others may be surprisingly new. But next time you find yourself having a sleepless night, try turning to one of these for simple and gentle relief.

Milk - Probably one of the age-old remedies for a sleepless night, milk has an amino acid called tryptophan, an amino acid that provides a sedative-like effect. Plus, the calcium in the milk is a catalyst that helps the brain use the tryptophan, so that is why drinking warm milk at bedtime has been a successful home remedy.

Chamomile tea - If you don't like milk, try drinking a cup of chamomile tea. It also has a mild sedating effect, so not only it is a soothing warm drink, it is a natural antidote for getting to sleep quickly.

Turkey - Turkey is one of the best sources of tryptophan, and that is why everyone jokes about going to sleep after a Thanksgiving meal. However, tryptophan works best on a stomach that is not full, and when it has some carbs around to help it be processed in your body. So a slice or two of turkey on some whole wheat bread as a bedtime snack is a perfect way to lull your body into a sense of calm.

Bananas - Bananas contain melatonin and serotonin, which help get the brain in a relaxed state of mind. Plus, they are also high in magnesium, which is a natural muscle relaxer. Enjoying a banana before bedtime is a healthy way to help bring on the sleepiness.

If none of these foods help you fall asleep or stay asleep, or if you have serious sleep deprivation problems, a visit to your doctor is in order. He or she can prescribe sleeping pills, but the danger with medication is that it can become habit forming. So trying a natural approach first is always preferred.

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