Can Certain Foods Help You Sleep?
By Sara Butler
Have you ever been lying in bed in the middle of the night because you just can’t fall asleep? Maybe you’ve tried cutting down on caffeine and other stimulants, but still don’t find your trip to dreamland any easier. Well, the solution may be a little simpler than you think. There are certain foods you may want to consider adding to your diet that might just help you find the Sandman.
Food Above All!
When you’re having difficulty sleeping, you need to look at your diet before you try other methods, especially sleep aids. Missing a night or two of sleep may not seem like a big deal for a lot of people, but too many nights tossing and turning can take a toll on your overall health and wellness. Lack of sleep impacts mood, physical appearance, memory, and focus. It can ultimately lead to an increased risk of developing a chronic disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
So, when you’re having trouble sleeping, you’re already putting your health at risk. Don’t add to the risk by becoming dependent on sleep aids when you can try food!
Foods to Try
Here are few foods you may want to add to your grocery list that can help you get better sleep at night:
- Walnuts – Walnuts contain the amino acid tryptophan, which helps to produce melatonin and serotonin in your brain to help you sleep. A one-ounce serving of walnuts provides 170 milligrams of tryptophan, which means five to six servings will provide as much as a supplement.
- Turkey – Thanksgiving dinner makes everyone tired, and it’s no wonder since turkey also happens to be a great source of tryptophan. Turkey has anywhere from 250 to 310 milligrams of tryptophan per serving.
- Milk, yogurt, and cheese – Your mom was on to something with that glass of warm milk she gave you as a child to help you sleep, but really any dairy will do. Calcium helps your brain utilize the tryptophan more effectively to help it create melatonin to help you sleep.
- Cherries – Cherries are naturally high in melatonin, so drink a glass of tart cherry juice or eat a cup of cherries before bed to help you snooze a little easier.
- Honey – Honey’s natural sugars provide a little boost to your insulin levels, which then helps your brain use tryptophan a bit easier.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.