People who have trouble getting to sleep or sleeping through the night may want to consider food for insomnia as a way to treat this common condition. Some good choices to help a person get the rest they need are foods containing tryptophan, magnesium and melatonin. Complex carbohydrates and bananas are also good choices. All of these ingredients can help the insomniac get to sleep without having to use medications to do so.
Tryptophan is found in foods like the white meat of turkey and chicken, as well as beef and soybeans. This ingredient is also found in some dairy products, which means that someone looking for food for insomnia may want to consume yogurt, cottage cheese or cheese before bed. Drinking a glass of milk will also help, since it is a source of tryptophan as well. The old remedy of a glass of warm milk at bedtime was a good way to get to sleep, since the warmth of the drink helps the person ingesting it to feel relaxed while the tryptophan works to help release serotonin to help with falling asleep.
Foods containing magnesium also help to increase serotonin production in the brain. Making a point of eating foods like halibut, black beans and pumpkin seeds will help to reduce the likelihood of insomnia. Green, leafy vegetables also contain magnesium, which means they will help with insomnia.
Melatonin is a substance which is naturally found in plants and animals. Cherries are a good source of melatonin and are included on the list of food for insomnia. A tart variety, such as Montmorency, is a good choice to help induce sleepiness. It is available as a concentrate which can be combined with water for a refreshing drink before bed.
Complex carbohydrates, like whole grain breads and cereals, are also considered to be good foods for insomnia. They should be consumed a couple of hours before bed time for the individual to get the best results from this strategy for falling asleep. Having a snack like whole grain cereal with milk or a turkey sandwich on whole wheat will help with insomnia.
Bananas should also be placed on the food for insomnia list. This food contains amino acids, and helps to create a calming effect when eaten. Having a banana before bed is a light snack that definitely can help a person who has trouble falling or staying asleep do just that.