Insomnia Functional Recipe

Author: Fang Jia, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Food can help people prevent illness and promote health, which aligns perfectly with the emerging medical theory—the Fourth Medicine. The Fourth Medicine, also known as self-care medicine, advocates scientific self-protection methods, simple and effective treatment and rehabilitation techniques to achieve physical and mental well-being, longevity, and a healthier life. It is particularly suitable for individuals in the "third state" (i.e., the sub-health state). The third state is a condition between health and illness. If not addressed promptly, it can easily progress into disease; if properly managed, it can transition back to health. The ancient saying "food is better than medicine" has a scientific basis. Zhang Zhongjing, the "Medical Sage" of the Han Dynasty in China, discussed this early on: "All dietary flavors should nourish life. If food is harmful, it can cause harm. Some foods are beneficial to the body, while others are harmful. If consumed appropriately, they benefit the body; if not, they cause illness." Sun Simiao, the "King of Medicine" of the Tang Dynasty, also warned: "Those who do not know the principles of dietary appropriateness cannot survive." Through generations of selection, the grains, meats, fruits, vegetables, and delicacies from land and sea that have been passed down to this day are not only delicious and nutritious but also easily accepted, digested, and absorbed by the body. They also have certain auxiliary effects in preventing and treating diseases and promoting health. The essence of dietary nourishment lies in selecting and consuming foods based on their nutritional characteristics, properties, and functions, tailored to the individual, the time, and the environment. The same gastrointestinal disease may manifest differently in people with different constitutions or in different environments, so dietary nourishment also requires "specific conditions, specific treatments." This book tells you about the dietary nourishment essentials for gastrointestinal disease patients and functional dietary recipes for gastrointestinal disease patients, making it a very practical handbook.
Dietary Nourishment Essentials for Insomnia Patients
What is insomnia?
Insomnia is a symptom. The basic definition of insomnia is a sleep disorder. Many scholars and institutions have defined insomnia, such as those who believe it is sleep deprivation caused by delayed sleep, frequent awakenings, and early morning awakening. A definition from an American association (1979) is that insomnia is a sleep disorder caused by sleep interruption or reduced sleep duration. Some consider insomnia as the patient feeling sleep deprivation or abnormal. Others further argue that insomnia has two basic elements: first, normal sleep is disrupted; second, the disruption significantly affects the patient's daily activities. Insomnia is often characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and early morning awakening. It is typically classified as short-term or long-term insomnia. Generally, women experience insomnia slightly more than men, and the elderly experience more insomnia than any other age group. Short-term insomnia may cause fatigue and weakness the next day, while severe cases can lead to anxiety and depression, creating a vicious cycle that turns into long-term insomnia. The dangers of long-term insomnia are even more severe.
What is dietary nourishment?
What are the principles of dietary nourishment for insomnia?
Dietary nourishment involves reasonably adjusting the nutrients in food based on the needs of the condition and the characteristics of the food, and then scientifically preparing the meals to play an auxiliary role in preventing and treating diseases. The "seven parts of nourishment in the 'three parts of treatment and seven parts of nourishment'" that people often mention include dietary adjustments and treatment. The principles of dietary nourishment for insomnia are as follows:
● It is advisable to eat small, frequent meals. Avoid overeating or undereating before bed. Overeating can lead to indigestion, bloating, and difficulty falling asleep, while undereating can cause hunger and sudden awakenings.
● Prefer light, nutritious foods; especially ensure adequate intake of high-quality proteins rich in essential amino acids, as well as B vitamins, vitamin E, and vitamin C.
● Regularly consume foods rich in tryptophan, such as fish, meat, eggs, milk, yogurt, and cheese. Sufficient tryptophan intake can induce sleep. Dairy products are not only rich in tryptophan but also contain calcium, making them particularly effective for insomnia. Adding a moderate amount of sugar to milk can enhance its sleep-inducing effects.
What should insomnia patients pay attention to in their dietary arrangements?
When arranging the diet for insomnia patients, the following points should be noted:
● Consume foods rich in calcium, such as bones, eggs, and seaweed.
● It is acceptable to eat fatty foods for dinner. After entering the body, these foods stimulate the secretion of digestive hormones in the intestines, accelerating the activity of the pancreas and liver, promoting the secretion of bile and pancreatic juice, and improving digestion and absorption.
● For those who drink alcohol, it is advisable to consume low-alcohol beverages before bed, such as wine or beer. These drinks have a calming effect on the central nervous system and can induce sleep.
What are the dietary taboos for insomnia patients?
Insomnia patients must pay attention to the following dietary taboos:
● Avoid all stimulating foods before bed, such as strong tea, strong coffee, chili peppers, pepper, and alcohol.
● Choose foods based on your constitution. Regardless of what you eat, do not eat blindly or excessively. Blindly consuming foods like red ginseng can lead to internal heat, further disrupting sleep.