Foods that Help You Sleep

Having sleepless nights and don't know what to do? Tried soaking in the bathtub but to no avail. Read a novel but it turned out to be a thriller. Walked around the living room, but exhaustion did nothing. Listened to CD with the soothing sounds of the frogs and birds in that African jungle - but that was just weird and yeah, still no sleep! So now what? What can you possibly do to get that sleep? I see your problem, and here's the solution - how about foods that help you sleep? Ever thought about that one? All you need to do is stock up on these foods and you'll be sleeping like a baby every night.

Foods that Make You Sleep

If you've ever paid careful attention to your meals, you'll realize that there are times when you feel extremely drowsy after a meal. Especially if it contains things like carbs. This is because certain foods are natural sleep aids. The consumption of certain foods releases chemicals in our bodies like serotonin and melatonin which help us to sleep. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter in the brain which slows down the nerve traffic. When the nerves are slowed, the brain has less stimuli to deal with and that allows it to relax and slowly shut down.

A dinner that is rich in complex carbs (not all carbs!), some amount of proteins (contains tryotophan which relaxes the brain) and calcium, is a guaranteed sleep inducing formula and one of the best foods that make you sleepy.

Here is a general list of foods that make you sleepy:

• Most dairy products like cheese and milk
• Rice
• Beans
• Seafood
• Soy products
• Whole grain foods
• Lentils
• Nuts
• Hummus
• Meats (esp Turkey)
• Sesame and sunflower seeds
• Poultry
• Tofu
• Honey
• Chamomile tea
• Potatoes

5 Foods that Induce Sleep

Warm Milk
This is probably the most known of all foods when it comes to inducing sleep, correct? But here's the thing - it works! How does it work? Milk contains the amino acid L-tryptophan which gets converted into 5-HTP and releases serotonin on consumption. Serotonin is essential for the body to sleep. It acts as a sleep aid and helps a person fall asleep. Along with that, milk is also a very rich source of calcium which promotes sleep as well.

Bananas
Bananas are one of the highest sources of magnesium and potassium. And what is it that these two 'iums' are supposed to do? Potassium and magnesium are natural muscle relaxants. So they help you relax and get your system to 'calm down' sufficiently enough. Eating a banana has other advantages too. The brain converts the amino acids present in a banana into serotonin and melatonin which are crucial for the system to wind down. One of the perfect foods that make you sleepy!

Oatmeal
Excellent for inducing sleep. Oatmeal is not only one of the healthy foods around, but they also have other advantages such as these. Consuming oatmeal will lead to insulin production. As insulin is produced in the body, it leads to raising the blood sugar as well and this is what gets you sleepy. Oatmeal also contains melatonin which is a natural sleep aid.

Cherries
These fiery red fruits are an excellent source of melatonin. Melatonin controls the body clock to regulate sleep. So when you munch on these cherries, dry or fresh, it is helping the clock, well, tick faster (or slower, whatever is the case). An hour before you hit the bed is considered the correct time to have them.

Bread
Bread is one of the best products to consume to bring in sleep. This is because it is rich in carbs. Carbohydrates help produce more insulin and serotonin. Both of which are crucial for falling asleep.

Now here's what you do, make a small note of these foods and tape it over one of your kitchen cabinets. And that's it - every time you feel like your sleep refuses to help you out, just down one of the foods and then watch as sleep travels back through your eyes and takes over your body. Nice huh? Happy sleeping!