Insomnia Aids and Boosters for the Sleep Deprived
MILK & COOKIES AND WATERMELON
Think back to that warm glass of milk before bed as a kid. Or was it chocolate milk? Whatever the comfort, the dairy queen can help reset the sleep schedule if getting shut-eye is out of the question. “It’s not really the milk, but it’s the memories of when they were younger and they had milk before bedtime,” says Gans. ‘Milk stirs up those feelings so it helps calm them so they can sleep.” Using caffeine to help stay awake late at the office or too much alcohol can also interfere with sleep once you get home. John La Puma, physician, nutritionist and ChefMD author, even recommends cookies and milk. “If you go to bed at 10, no one thinks of snacking on broccoli, you want Doritos or ice cream,” says La Puma.
Glassman says to stay away from fiber or high protein before sleep time, because it will knock you out. Instead, opt for something that gives you a spark like melons. Watermelon are the best reset for those suffering from any kind of sleep deprivation. “It has an alkalizing affect on the body which means it will flush you out,” says Glassman. “It will give you the benefit of water retention but in a positive way. In other words, if you’re not sleeping or haven’t slept enough, you need to derive energy from other sources to make up for your absence of sleep. Watermelon is perfect, because it keeps you hydrated, gives you minerals, vitamins and flavanoids, and it’s not going to weigh you down. The last thing you want to do if you’re not sleeping is eat a lot.”
