One in three people will suffer from insomnia as some point in their lives, according to statistics from SleepMed Inc. In fact, each year 20 to 40 percent of adults will suffer some degree of insomnia. Physicians suggest cutting out stimulants such as caffeine and sugar to get a better night's sleep, but there are also foods to add to your diet to help you catch more zzz's.
Tryptophan-Rich Foods
Tryptophan is the ingredient in turkey that makes you feel sleepy after your Thanksgiving meal. It is also a building block for melatonin and serotonin, the neurotransmitters that allow you to fall asleep and stay asleep. Foods high in tryptophan include poultry, dairy products, eggs, beans and sunflower seeds.
Carbohydrates
Foods high in tryptophan work better when eaten with foods high in complex carbohydrates, according to an article at AskDrSears.com. Eat a peanut butter sandwich on whole grain bread about an hour before you plan to go to bed, to get the maximum benefit.
Melatonin-Rich Food
Melatonin supplements are sold at most pharmacies and health food stores to treat insomnia. Cherries, strawberries, oats and bananas are all high in melatonin and can help boost your sleep. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid melatonin as its effect on unborn children or breast milk is undetermined, according to an article at ShapeUp.org.
