Five great foods to zap your menopausal insomnia and why they work so well

They may not be good to eat for lunch because of the busy afternoon you’ve got ahead, but these foods can do wonders for menopausal insomnia.

If you’re not into sleeping pills because they make you groggy the morning after or because you shy away from possibly addictive behaviors, try consulting your cookbook. Just include one or more of these foods in a strategically prepared dinner, and you’ll be catching Z’s before you can even count sheep.

Superfoods for sleep?

What makes a food good for sleep? In most cases, it’s neurotic but not in the same sense that your crazy mother-in-law is! Sleeper foods more often than not contain tryptophan, a substance that your brain can use to make serotonin and melotonin. These chemicals help gradually bring your brain activity to a slower pace so that you can sleep. Below are some foods that contain a lot of tryptophan.

Warm milk

This isn’t just a wives’ tale. A glass of everyone’s favorite dairy drink warmed has a two-fold effect; the tryptophan will stimulate serotonin and melotonin while the warmth will sooth you—kind of like a lazy summer afternoon.

Herbal tea with honey

If you’re lactose intolerant, downing a glass of something that’s going to fill you with hot air probably isn’t a good idea. However, you can get the same effect from warm herbal tea with a bit of honey. However, make sure your tea isn’t caffeinated, or you’ll be regretting your nighttime drink.

Ice cream

Although it’s not a warm snack, ice cream is also a part of the dairy group that provides lots of tryptophan. Even more, ice cream provides lots of calcium, which is good news if you’re concerned about osteoporosis.

Turkey

Have you ever wondered why the holiday traditions usually involve scarfing down turkey and then taking a nap? It’s because this celebratory bird is filled with all the things your brain needs to slow down.

Fish

If you’re in the mood for a fancy dinner, try going out for fish or seafood. This healthy dinner option also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your blood pressure.

Recommendation for nighttime eating:

Eating too much food before bed can actually worsen your insomnia because digestion interferes with the sleep process. However, if you’re in the mood for a late-night snack, try some whole-grain cereal with milk or yogurt with granola sprinkled on top. Both of these snacks contain dairy, which will provide you with tryptophan and complex carbohydrates. This combination is a bedtime winner.

Click on the following link to read more about treatments for menopausal sleep disorders.