Foods to Help Insomnia

 
We can all use a little help falling asleep sometimes, and for a few of us, that’s just about every night. Insomnia’s the best, right? Not. Try these suggestions from Shape Magazine the next time you need a dose of the zzzz’s…

Snack on these one hour before bed to help you get a good night’s sleep:

BANANAS – One banana has nearly 10% of the daily recommended doses of magnesium, which contains a mineral known to calm the brain. The peel contains an even more concentrated does, so after eating the fruit, cut off the stem and steep the peel in a cup of boiling water in four minutes.

CHERRY JUICE – A study in the European Journal of Nutrition found that people slept longer and more soundly after drinking cherry juice, possibly due to its high levels ofmelatonin.  Melatonin helps regulate the circadian rhythms of your body to help you sleep.

KIWIS – rich in seratonin, a hormone and neurotransmitter that studies show improves the quality of your rest by promoting REM sleep, the restorative deep-wave stage that helps you feel more refreshed.

WHOLE WHEAT CRACKERS AND CHEESE – With 80% carbs and 20% protein, this combo has the best ratio for boosting seratonin, which helps improve your sleep. Use a firm cheese likea swiss or cheddar, high in amino acid, which raises the level of stimulating chemicals like norepinephrine.