| A seemingly strange piece of advice points to our | | | | the necessary ingredients to help promote the |
| diets as to why we are unable to get to sleep and | | | | production of this sleep hormone such as milk, eggs, |
| that there are certain items of food and drink that | | | | meat, fish and cheese. Cheese in particular is a |
| can be prime suspects in keeping us awake. The | | | | product rich in Tryptophan - despite the urban myth |
| timing of your meals is important to get right as our | | | | that cheese can cause you to have nightmares; |
| bodies have a natural rhythm where food is | | | | you're much more likely to have plenty of decent |
| expected, at this time our bodies will produce | | | | sleep from eating cheese! |
| enzymes and prepare itself for the food it is | | | | Obviously drinks such as cola, coffee and other fizzy |
| expecting. | | | | drinks can include high levels of caffeine and sugar; |
| If we eat too late then our metabolic rate and our | | | | these substances should be avoided in the evening |
| energy levels can increase at a time when they | | | | and even the late afternoon. Many children will drink |
| should be winding down, it is recommended that you | | | | sugary drinks with their dinner and this can mean |
| don't eat a large meal any less than 2 hours before | | | | they are difficult to get to sleep in the evening as |
| you are due to go to sleep. If possible it is | | | | their abundance of energy is topped up. A better |
| recommended that you have a larger meal during the | | | | choice would be milk or natural fruit juices and this |
| day and a smaller one or even just a snack in the | | | | goes for adults as well as caffeine and sugar have |
| evening to help keep your body's natural rhythm. | | | | just the same effect on them too. |
| There are some foods that contain a substance | | | | So for a better night's sleep make sure you take |
| called Tryptophan, this can help the brain produce a | | | | care of what you eat and when you eat it, it could |
| hormone known as Serotonin, Serotonin helps to | | | | make the difference between a pleasant night's sleep |
| promote sleep and is often referred to as the 'sleep | | | | and a night of tossing and turning. |
| hormone'. There are many items of food that contain | | | | |