Insomnia Food Treatment

Insomnia is a sleep disorder wherein the person has difficulty in falling asleep, wakes up in the middle of sleep and unable to go back to sleep or both these conditions. Insomnia drains out a person and if is not treated can impair daily activities. An average of eight hours of sleep is needed by most adults. However the number of hours may vary from individual to individual. Most adults suffer from this sleep disorder at some point in their life and it may just be a temporary condition.


However some have a lot of difficulty overcoming it and this is called chronic insomnia. In order to get the situation under effective control doctors would prescribe certain insomnia diet pills to the patient. Apart from difficulty in falling asleep and waking up in the middle of sleep, other symptoms of insomnia include, not feeling rested after sleep, irritability, depression, extreme fatigue during the day, headaches, absentmindedness and stressing over sleep.


If the insomnia is of a temporary nature, it may be treated with insomnia diet. Sometimes, doctors also prescribe specific diets for patients with severe insomnia.

An insomnia diet therapy will essentially involve increasing the calcium, magnesium and Vitamin B intake. Calcium and magnesium deficiency can lead to insomnia.


Vitamin B is also important to enjoy good sleep. Complex carbohydrates found in whole grains and cereals can be eaten. These are relaxant and help you sleep.


Tryptophan rich foods are also believed to provide good sleep. Tryptophan is a substance that activates serotonin which induces sleep. If one is unable to consume these through natural foods, they can be had in the form of insomnia diet vitamins or insomnia diet supplements. Calcium, magnesium and Vitamin B-complex supplements are easily available. Insomnia and diet pills also have a link. Many of these medications that promise weight-loss cause insomnia as they contain a lot of stimulants.

Instead it is better to consult your doctor and dietician who can prescribe a good insomnia diet plan. This plan should essentially try and restore the nutrients that the body is devoid of. Lack of essential minerals and vitamins such as zinc, potassium, magnesium, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B and Thiamine is likely to disturb sleep patterns. An insomnia diet cure may consist of a fruit diet for the first five days of the treatment. All of the patient’s meals will be composed of fruits. This helps cleansing the system and ridding it of toxins. Adequate fluids should also be consumed. After the first five days, the diet will be changed a little bit to include vegetables, nuts and yogurt. Gradually the diet will be made into a well-balanced full diet. Insomnia and dietary changes go hand in hand and so does insomnia diet and exercise. Taking up a sport of regular physical activity is important as it will regulate sleep cycles and improve the quality of sleep.

Insomnia foods that help you sleep should be rich in calcium, should reduce levels of stress, should be rich in carbohydrates. For instance milk and milk products are rich in calcium. A warm glass of milk with honey can be had before going to bed. This stimulates serotonin which in turn helps you sleep. Tofu, salmon, almonds and juices with calcium are also good options. Banana is also a food to fight insomnia. They are rich in Vitamin B6 which again stimulates serotonin levels and help sleep. More so, during the day bananas are a good source of energy. Spinach, tuna and chicken are other foods that can be had by an insomnia patient. Healthy comfort foods such as nuts and dried fruits are helpful and so are magnesium rich foods like artichokes, wheat and black beans. Insomnia food treatment can also include a high carb diet since carbohydrates are believed to have a sedative effect. Insomnia foods to eat must be carefully chosen as some patients may also suffer from other health complications such as obesity and diabetes and therefore cannot indulge in many kinds of foods. Insomnia foods to avoid are alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, spicy and oily foods, flatulence-causing foods, processed and refined foods, canned foods, chocolate, etc as these foods excite and stimulate the body systems and disturb normal sleep patterns. In case of insomnia food intake must be at regular hours. Having late meals or having a heavy meal at night fights the purpose of an insomnia diet. Even foods that cure insomnia must be had in the right proportion and at the right time.

During insomnia, some fruits can also help induce sleep. Studies have shown that bananas, apples, grapes, kiwis, red dates and berries improve sleep. Kiwi is rich in Vitamin C, magnesium and calcium. All these are elements necessary for good sleep. Grapes contain melatonin and melatonin is believed to regulate sleep. Grapes are also rich in antioxidants which improve the quality of sleep. Bananas rich in Vitamin B6 help regulating serotonin that regulates sleep. Apples are rich in many nutrients and have a sedative effect. Red dates are rich in iron, calcium, phosphorus and have a soothing effect on the nervous system. Fruits juices for insomnia also do the trick. An apple and grapefruit juice or an apple and orange juice can be easily prepared, are tasty and are effective remedies. A banana milkshake can also be had. Similarly juices of other insomnia fruits are good options. The main insomnia fruits and vegetables are carrots, beetroot, celery, watercress, apples, orange, grapefruits, sprouts, lettuce, cherries and spinach.

Along with the right kind of insomnia diet, the patient must also make some lifestyle changes that will help him overcome the problem. Person should avoid stressful situations, he must learn to relax and practice a physical activity or a sport. He or she must also stick to a sleep schedule and avoid taking naps. The bed must only be used to sleep to indulge in lovemaking. Eating and reading in bed are not advised. Make your sleeping area cosy with pretty curtains, bedsheets, dim lights, a few scented oils and candles. From time to time pamper yourself to a relaxing massage or a soothing spa treatment.