Learn about foods good before bed, compliments of Clayton College of Natural Health

To Sleep…Sweet Tips from The Night Kitchen

How about a cup of fresh strawberries with a cup of warm milk with two tablespoons of honey and lemon juice before bedtime?

Oatmeal is also a great sleep aid. Make oatmeal as you normally would, but add milk enough to make a thin gruel. Drink this before bed as an aid in getting to sleep. This is a very relaxing way to get children to sleep. It seems to soothe them and make their tummies feel warm and full.

What could be easier than a baked potato? Simply preheat oven to 425 degrees. Poke holes in potato and wrap in foil. Bake in oven for 45 to 60 minutes until tender. Be sure to eat the skin! For extra tryptophan, magnesium and calcium, top with yogurt and cauliflower. Tryptophan is an amino acid that can act as a sleep aid.

Salads made with spinach, cucumber, bell pepper, tomato, celery, and mushrooms are also a great source of tryptophan, as well as many other nutrients. Try a salad with poppy seed dressing. Poppy seeds also contain tryptophan.

Poppy Seed Dressing
1/2 cup mild honey
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup apple cider
1 Tablespoon fresh onion puree
1 cup olive oil
1 1/2 Tablespoon poppy seeds

Measure honey, mustard, salt and vinegar into your blender or mixing bowl. Process until smooth. Make the onion puree by rubbing a sweet onion over a hand grater. Add to the dressing. Start the blender and gradually add the oil in a slow stream. Process until thoroughly blended. Stop the blender and sprinkle the poppy seeds over the top. Mix the seeds in. Delicious with any tossed salad or with grapefruit, avocado and apple slices on a crisp bed of Romaine lettuce.