Do you suffer from insomnia? Are you having trouble falling asleep even if it’s just from time to time? Well, believe it or not, eating complex carbohydrates might be the cure.
Yes, carbohydrates.
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The Cleveland Clinic recommends several different types of foods to eat to help you fall asleep better when you are having trouble doing so.
“Try to consume foods that calm the body, increase serotonin levels and get you ready for restful sleep,” says the Clinic.
And the first on the list are complex carbohydrates. Now, you are probably wondering how that can be. Haven’t we been told for years that carbs are the enemy? Don’t eat too much bread or pretzels, etc., they say.
Well, this is true when it comes to the simple kind of carbs like those in white flour. But whole grain based foods have the complex kind of carbs that actually help you burn calories because of their complex nature.
Second on the list are lean proteins which are high in the amino acid tryptophan, which tends to increase serotonin levels. Tryptophan can also be found in egg whites, soybeans and pumpkin seeds.It is the thing in Turkey that makes people sleepy after eating a lot of it on Thanksgiving.
Then come unsaturated fats which the Cleveland Clinic says will not only “boost your heart health, but will also improve your serotonin levels.”
The list is rounded out by foods high in magnesium as well as fresh herbs. And the Clinic also says that “A good, soothing beverage to drink before bedtime would be warm milk (your mother was right) or herbal tea such as chamomile or peppermint” can also be of help.
And that is not all.
A few years ago Harvard said that a study showed the Mediterranean Diet was good for helping with insomnia problems. The Mediterranean diet is a dietary pattern inspired by the traditional cuisines of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Italy, and Spain. It emphasizes eating healthy fats, fruits and fish, among other things.
Harvard explained that the Mediterranean Diet helps with insomnia because certain foods including milk, fatty fish, tart cherry juice, and kiwi fruit may improve sleep. They do so by being rich in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. Both of these nutrients are known to help regulate serotonin.
