Ask Dr. Sears provides a comprehensive article about the best foods
for promoting sleep including lists of ?Snooze Foods,? ?Best Bedtime
Snacks,? and ?Best Dinners for Sleep.?
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Foods that help you sleep
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Foods that contain tryptophan help you sleep because tryptophan is the
amino acid that the body uses to make serotonin, the neurotransmitter
that slows down nerve traffic so your brain isn't so busy.
Below you will find a list of foods high in the sleep-inducing amino
acid tryptophan:
Dairy products: cottage cheese, cheese, milk
Soy products: soy milk, tofu, soybean nuts
Seafood
Meats
Poultry
Whole grains
Beans
Rice
Hummus
Lentils
Hazelnuts, Peanuts
Eggs
Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds
?Foods that are high in carbohydrates and calcium, and medium-to-low
in protein also make ideal sleep-inducing bedtime snacks.?
- Apple pie and ice cream
- Whole-grain cereal with milk
- Hazelnuts and tofu
- Oatmeal and raisin cookies, and a glass of milk
- Peanut butter sandwich, ground sesame seeds
?Meals that are high in carbohydrates and low-to-medium in protein
will help you relax in the evening and set you up for a good night's
sleep.?
- Pasta with parmesan cheese
- Scrambled eggs and cheese
- Tofu stirfry
- Hummus with whole wheat pita bread
- Seafood, pasta, and cottage cheese
- Meats and poultry with veggies
- Tuna salad sandwich
- Chili with beans, not spicy
- Sesame seeds sprinkled on salad with tuna chunks, and whole wheat crackers
Source: Ask Dr. Sears
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T042400.asp
What is tryptophan?
?Tryptophan is an essential Amino Acid. It is a precursor for
serotonin (which aids sleep and anxiety),and helps in niacin (B
vitamins) production. Foods that are considered sources of tryptophan
are dairy products, beef, poultry, barley, brown rice, fish, soybeans,
and peanuts."
Environment, Health and Safety Online
http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/FoodSafety/foodtryptophan.php
According to an article at How Stuff Works, eating turkey on an empty
stomach will make you sleepy.
http://home.howstuffworks.com/question519.htm/printable
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Foods That Keep You Awake
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"Foods that help you stay awake are foods that stimulate
neurochemicals that perk up the brain.
Caffeine-containing foods top the list of foods that wake you up.
Coffee, colas, and tea rank highest in caffeine content."
FOOD CAFFEINE (mg.)
coffee, brewed, 6 ounces 105
coffee, instant, 6 ounces 55
Mountain Dew, 12 ounces 55
Colas, 12 ounces 35-45
Tea, 6 ounces 35
Source: Ask Dr. Sears
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T042400.asp
The foods you eat can cause sleeplessness.
?Foods containing the amino acid tyramine, commonly found in bacon,
ham, sausage, cheese, aubergines, tomatoes, red wine, peppers, smoked
meats, fish and, unfortunately, chocolate - can all keep you awake at
night.?
Ivillage
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/health/hlive/eat/articles/0,,181168_579704-3,00.html
?Tyramine is an amino acid that causes the release of norepinephrine,
a brain stimulant that can keep you awake, according to David
Edelberg, M.D., author of The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and
Herbs. Foods that contain tyramine include bacon, aged cheese,
chocolate, ham, sausages and wine. Fortunately, lean proteins don't
contain enough tyramine to impair your sleep.?
Men's Fitness, Sept, 2003
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1608/is_9_19/ai_106652957
Search terms used:
Foods to help you sleep
Foods to wake you up
I hope you this helps!!
Best regards,
Bobbie7 |
