Insomnia and Your Diet

At some time most of us have experienced the odd bad night’s sleep and haven’t suffered any serious side effects.  However if you continue to suffer insomnia you probably start worrying that something could be wrong and then the vicious circle starts.

There are natural chemicals in our bodies that promote sleep and scientists believe nutrition also plays a part in our sleep patterns.  Caffeine is a common contributing factor in insomnia and sufferers are encouraged not to consume drinks or foods that contain caffeine.  On the other hand there are some people who have become so used to consuming large amounts of caffeine that their bodies develop a tolerance and they don’t experience difficulties in falling asleep after drinking a cup of coffee before retiring.

In general it is strongly advised not to consume foods or beverages containing caffeine prior to bedtime.  There are foods that can assist in inducing relaxing sleep and these should be introduced into the diet.  It may be that you will need to try out a few foods before actually finding the ones that suit you best.

Foods and Beverages for Healthy Sleep

Too much or too little food can set the stage for a restless sleep, if you can even get to sleep.  Aim to go to bed with your hunger satisfied but not on an over-full stomach.  Also avoid going to bed with too little food in your stomach as this can keep you awake with those gnawing pangs of hunger.   Finding a happy medium is what is called for.  Spicy food or overly rich food eaten within two to three hours prior to bedtime can create other problems, such as indigestion, that are sure to prevent you from falling asleep.  So basically, don’t go to bed after eating a huge rich and spicy meal unless you want to suffer a sleepless night!

Herbal Teas

There are a number of herbal teas that are claimed to assist with a restful sleep; valerian and chamomile can be especially effective.  Many herbal tea varieties are readily available from supermarkets and health food stores, one that is often used by insomnia sufferers is chamomile and honey.