Mar 01, 2016 06:59 AM EST
8 Healthy Foods for the Insomniac

Do you have problems of falling asleep?  Worry no more because there are natural foods that can relax you and eventually put you to sleep.

Here are Eight Healthy Foods for the Insomniac:

1.  Bananas

Bananas are known to be the world's healthiest food.  Bananas are a source of tryptophan, an essential amino acid found in many common foods, including meats, seeds, nuts, eggs and dairy products and melatonin, a natural hormone that's known for helping regulate your body's clock and blood levels of melatonin go up significantly about two hours after eating a banana.

2.  Oatmeal

Oatmeal, whole-grain cereals and bread, and other complex carbohydrates increase production of serotonin, a type of chemical hypnosis that puts you to sleep. Serotonin slows nerve activity, calming the brain and spreading a "feel-good" message throughout your body. When darkness enters the picture, the brain converts serotonin to yet another hormone, melatonin, which regulates sleep. 

3.  Walnuts and Almonds

Nuts are a double whammy, considering they make a light snack and are packed with oodles of natural, sleep-inducing ingredients. Walnuts, for example, are a good source of melatonin. They, along with almonds, will also give you magnesium, which may help you sleep.

4.  Red Meat and Other Iron-Rich Food

Choose lean red meat for the least saturated fat, and eat it for lunch rather than dinner because its protein can counteract sleep-inducing serotonin.

5.  Eggsa

Breakfast for dinner is a revelation that everyone needs to try at least once, and eggs happen to be light and fluffy fare that'll help you get to sleep faster.

Eggs are rich in protein, there's no better time to turn your typical early meal into a late one.

6.  Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is the traditional sleeping drink.  It relaxes and calms you and before you know it, you already dozed off to sleep.

7.  Rice Topped with Shrimp Sushi

Rice is a carb that helps release tryptophan and melatonin to the brain while shrimp sushi is high in tryptophan.  Make sure you don't fall asleep while eating.

8. Turkey

Turkey is rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that the body uses to produce serotonin.  Make sure you don't serve large cuts of turkey during Thanksgiving or your guests will end up sleeping on your couch!

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