Not being able to sleep may be quite frustrating, especially when you must get up in the morning to go to work and you want to feel refreshed and ready for a new day. But wait! Before you head towards your medicine cabinet to get those OTC meds or those prescription sleeping pills, why not give food a try? You never may know, the secret to a restful night may be hiding in your fridge or in your kitchen cabinet!

Food has been known for many years to have effects on our bodies. Chocolate, coffee or a glass of coke may give you a sprint of energy. So if these foods and drinks have the power to make you feel ready to run a marathon, then why can't there be foods that will actually relax you and make you sleepy? Indeed, the are foods that will keep you awake and there are foods that will make you sleepy. Of course, there are also many foods in the middle of the spectrum, which will not make you sleepy nor will they make you hyper.

Of course, the secret to a nice sleepy night depends on balancing foods. Avoid the foods that are known to give jolts of energy and stick to the ones that will relax you and make you fall asleep as soon as you hit the pillow. However, these foods do not work the same for everybody, there are those that can go to sleep after eating a candy bar and there are those that will stay wide awake after drinking a calming tea. Yet, why not give food a try? It may be worth to try the power of food during a week end, where if it does not work as thought, nothing major will happen...

Foods to Keep by Your Bed stand

-Warm Milk

Ok, this is a classic but it can really help. Milk contains tryptophan, which is a well known relaxer. Plus a warm cup of milk with a little bit of honey, may bring back some good old memories of childhood.

-Bananas

These yellow fruits contain both melatonin and serotonin which will give a sense of well being and relaxation. Add the fact that these fruits are potassium rich (a natural muscle relaxant) and you may get sleeping just peeling one!

-Chamomile Tea

A classic evening tea in many European countries searching for some ZZZ's. Chamomile has been used for many centuries for their great sedating effect.

-Turkey

Ever felt sleepy after a fulfilling Thanksgiving dinner? Then very likely it was the power of tryptophan!

Foods to Avoid

It is important to note that eating too late may interfere with proper sleep and so is going to sleep having not eaten enough. Following are some foods to avoid before going to bed:

-Spicy heavy foods, which may give heartburn

-Caffeine which of course will keep you awake

-Alcohol which may make you sleepy at first but may make you get insomnia later

-Too much water or other drinks may wake you up for restroom trips

So what's on your dinner dish tonight? Ideally, some sliced turkey, a glass of milk with honey, a banana and a cup of chamomile tea!