Reduce insomnia by eating the right foods

There are foods that can help you sleep when you are suffering with a sleep disorder.

A sleep disorder (somnipathy) is any disruption in the sleep patterns of an individual. While some sleep disorders may leave you feeling unrefreshed, a number of symptoms are more severe including excessive sleepiness, snoring, difficulty falling asleep during normal sleeping hours and abnormal behaviors such as restless leg syndrome. There are even disorders that cause you to get too much sleep.

Some sleep disorders can be triggered, and conversely, managed through your behavior and lifestyle. The following habits and conditions are risk factors for developing a sleep disorder:

• Poor sleep environment (e.g., too noisy, too brightly lit, too hot, or too cold)
• Excessive use of caffeine, alcohol, or certain medications and drugs
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Illness
• Obesity
• Anxiety, depression, or another mood disorder
• Stress, such as the death of a loved one or job pressure
• Unhealthy or irregular sleep routine
• Early or late-night bedtimes
• Traveling between time zones
• Daytime napping
• Shift work with a rotating schedule

Diet management - Reducing the use of stimulants and depressants and avoiding big meals just before bed can help reduce the risk of insomnia episodes.

Check your iron level. Iron deficient women tend to have more problems sleeping, so if your blood is iron poor, a supplement might help.  Carbohydrate snacks such whole grain crackers before bedtime may help to promote sleep. Avoid sweets.  Although sugar can give a burst of energy, it's short-lived and can cause uneven blood sugar levels. This can disrupt sleep in the middle of the night as blood sugar levels fall.

Foods that help you sleep - Tryptophan is an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin, which is then converted to melatonin. Carbohydrate snacks such whole grain crackers before bedtime may help to promote sleep. Magnesium is a natural sedative. Deficiency of magnesium can result in difficulty sleeping, constipation,
muscle tremors or cramps, anxiety, irritability, and pain. When you eat a diet rich in fats, sodium, and unnecessary sugars, your digestive tract pays the price. One of the side effects of an unhealthy digestive tract is stomach upset, heartburn, and indigestion. In many cases, those symptoms show up at night when your body is trying to rest. Instead, it is active trying to resolve other bodily issues which keeps you awake.
Then there is mom's favor - warm milk!  One of the most natural sleeping aids in the world is to eat and drink in a healthy way...really.