Best Inflatable Baby Bathtub

For a tiny human being, a baby can make some really big messes, from blowouts to spit-up eruptions. And as most parents will show, cleaning up a small, floppy, slippery newborn isn’t without its challenges. A baby bathtub can make the job easier. While you’ll probably only rely on a baby tub until the infant is about 6 months old or until she’s developmentally able to sit up, it is handy and sets the stage for making bath time fun once the baby gets older and graduates to the big tub.

1. Best Inflatable Baby Bathtub

The Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Safety Tub is just about the most gorgeous rubber ducky to help introduce baby to bath time. The inflatable design makes it extra soft—but it still has a non-slip bottom to keep baby in place. Plus, a ‘White Hot’ safety disc lets parents know when the water temperature is too hot for baby: around 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

2. Fisher-Price Rinse's Grow Infant Bathtub

Dip your little munchkin in this trusted Rinse 'n Grow tub by Fisher-Price for a fun cleaning sash. This three-stage tub comes with an adjustable sling that'll help you create a comfortable bathing environment for your baby as she hits new milestones. The tub is also easy to clean, and it'll last you from the newborn years through the child years.

3. Best Non-Slip Baby Bath Tub

The contoured back walls and non-slip foam of the Boon Soak 3-Stage Baby Bathtub—winner of the Best of Baby 2018 award for the best baby bathtub—keep your slippery baby from sliding all over the place during bath time. And an adjustable, contoured bump-out at the base means the baby will sit comfortably through the newborn, baby and toddler stages. An added bonus? A color-changing drain lets you know the ideal bath temperature before you place baby in the tub.

4. Infantine Whale Bubble Inflatable Bathtub

This adorable inflatable baby bathtub will keep your kiddo comfortable until he's high-pitched clean. Simply inflate it, place it in your tub, and fill it with water. This tub comes with toy balls that your little munchkin can stay busy with during bath time.

5. Best Baby Bath Tub With Stand

Depending on the height of your bathroom’s tub, washing baby can exactly be back-breaking work. The Summer Infant Right Height Bath Tub uses a plastic base to bring the baby up to your level, meaning less hunching, more washing. The base also detaches should you want to use this infant tub in the sink and can be used as a step stool down the line for bigger kids.

6. Angel care Baby Bathtub With Support

If you don't have room to store a large infant bathtub, this bath support can be used directly in your own bathtub. Rest your baby on this contoured mesh backrest, so you can use both hands to wash and clean.

7. Best Collapsible Baby Tub

Babe is known for its baby food maker, but they’ve introduced a collapsible textile tub that’s as shiny as it is innovative. The mold-resistant soft fabric conforms to baby's shape, while the non-slip feet provide stability. When you’re done? The whole thing folds flat for compact storage.

8. Baby Dam Bathtub Divider

Gone are the days when you need to risk hitting your baby's precious head on the kitchen sink faucet because you don't want to waste a full tub of water! Instead, try using Baby Dam, the easiest and most brilliant way to control your baby's baths in a safe space. Not only does it make it simple for you to wash your baby in a smaller, yet open space, but it's safer than loading up a full tub — he'll always be in arm's reach.

9. Best Baby Spa Tub

Even though you’re the one who could use a little R&R, the Summer Infant Warming Waterfall baby tub lets baby enjoy some spa time. A gentle waterfall circulates bath water, so baby’s never sitting in dirty water. A small tray table (to keep bath essentials close at hand), a rinse cup and washcloth are all part of the package too.

10. Shnuggle Baby Bathtub

This sleek bathtub by Shnuggle will let you bathe your baby literally anywhere — from the kitchen sink to a clean outside! This baby bathtub is designed to form to your developing baby's tiny frame so your little one will remain comfortable as she's getting whiny clean.

11. Best Large Baby Bath Tub

If you’re looking for a large baby tub, one roomy enough to fit a 4-year-old, then the Stoke Flexi Bath Foldable Bath Tub fits the bill. It skips the extra features and compartments found in other tubs in favor of more tub room, though you can purchase a newborn support sling (sold separately). Best of all, this big baby tub collapses flat for easy storage.

12. Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Baby tub

Grab your baby's favorite bath toys and get ready to make a splash in this new bathtub from Skip Hop. The lattice sling locks into place for safety, providing three supported positions for newborns to toddlers. You can also remove it once your tot can sit upright.

Adults can make informed decisions about their own medical care

Adults can make informed decisions about their own medical care. However, young children are not able to make complex decisions for themselves, so the authority to make medical decisions on behalf of a child usually falls to the child’s parents. Some of these choices have long-lasting repercussions that cannot be undone later in life.

Whether or not to vaccinate against preventable diseases is one such decision parents will face. Supported by high-quality medical and scientific evidence, vaccines are one of the most significant achievements of medical science and public health. Deaths due to vaccine-preventable diseases, including smallpox, polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis, and others, have declined dramatically.

Debunking popular misconceptions about every vaccine is beyond the scope of this article. Instead, my focus is on the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, one of the most heavily-scrutinized vaccines of all time, and one of the safest. It is also an essential vaccine that can help prevent six different cancers which may develop much later in life.

For the nearly 80 million people—about one in four—currently infected in the United States, HPV often goes away on its own. But a small group of people will experience health problems—sometimes even 20 or 30 years after the initial contact. In these individuals, HPV can cause changes in the body that can lead to the development of:

• Cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer in women;
• Penile cancer in men; and
• Oropharyngeal (the tongue, tonsils, and back of the throat) and anal/rectal cancer in both women and men.

Unlike HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) spread via bodily fluids, human papillomaviruses reside in certain skin cells found in the moist surfaces (called mucosal surfaces) of areas such as the vagina, anus, cervix, vulva, inner foreskin and urethra of the penis, inner nose, mouth, throat, and the inner eyelids.

HPV is transmitted by direct contact with an infected person, usually sexual, but can occur following nonpenetrative sexual activity—which even includes kissing. While condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV and other STDs transmitted through bodily fluids, they provide less protection against STDs spread through skin-to-skin contact like HPV.

Celebrities, charlatans, homeopaths and other people who are entirely unqualified to advise on medical issues promote genuinely heartbreaking images and stories of teenagers suffering paralysis, bodily pain, convulsions, and even death, which they attribute to autoimmune disorders directly caused by HPV vaccination. It’s a natural claim to make. After all, a vaccine, by its nature, is designed to provoke an immune response.

Sadly, autoimmune disorders are pervasive and affect ∼8% of the population, the vast majority (78%) of whom are women. These occur when the immune system goes awry and mistakenly attacks healthy parts of the body rather than infectious invaders such as bacteria and viruses.

Scientists believe that sex hormones may play a role, as many autoimmune disorders occur in women soon after puberty. Some examples include systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), Guillain-Barré syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). My heart breaks for anyone affected by these terrible diseases, especially children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that BOTH girls and boys begin getting the HPV vaccine series at age 11 or 12. This is because the vaccine produces a better immune response at this age than during the teenage years. For the HPV vaccine to work best, it is also essential to administer prior to coming into contact with the virus. That’s why the vaccine is recommended for children before they grow up and start kissing or become sexually active.

Because autoimmune disorders are more common in women and begin to appear around the age that they receive the HPV vaccine, the potential to use autoimmune disorders to discredit the vaccine is high. In statistics, when two variables are found to be correlated, it is tempting to assume that one variable causes the other. However, this is a perfect example that correlation does not imply causation.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), since licensure in 2006, over 270 million doses of the HPV vaccine have been distributed worldwide, with many countries monitoring vaccine safety post-licensure. A 2017 report by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) concluded that HPV vaccines are extremely safe and found no evidence to suggest a causal association between HPV vaccine and CRPS, POTS or the diverse symptoms that include pain and motor dysfunction.

Why am I so passionate about HPV vaccination? Because I was diagnosed with Stage IV oropharyngeal (head and neck) cancer caused by HPV in December 2015 at the age of 47. After undergoing aggressive chemoradiation treatment, I was cancer-free for six months. Then, in December 2016, doctors discovered distant metastasis (spread) in both of my lungs. Recurrence of this disease is often lethal—no effective treatment exists.

Had the HPV vaccine been available when I was a preteen, I could have been spared a terminal disease and the numerous toxicities of cancer treatment. Parents, I beg you—please vaccinate your children against HPV. Believe in high-quality medical and scientific evidence, not social media anecdotes. Instead of speaking to well-meaning relatives and friends, talk to a knowledgeable pediatrician about the HPV vaccine and make an informed decision. Follow Australia’s example, where the HPV vaccination program is so successful that within 10 years, it is expected that no women will develop cervical cancer there. In doing so, we can eliminate high-risk HPV and the resulting six cancers.

Prostate Cancer End Stage And Survival Rates

Prostate Cancer End Stage And Survival Rates

If prostate cancer is caught before reaching the end stage, then it is often treated very successfully. Treatment has been getting higher and higher success rates within the last twenty years, although it is still not known what causes the cancer and how to prevent it. However, if the cancer spreads from the prostate gland to the bone then it becomes extremely difficult and often impossible to cure. In this situation treatments are aimed at prolonging life and relieving symptoms rather than curing. When a cancer reaches its end stage the patient may start to show signs such as weight loss, tiredness and pains in different places.

In the case of this type of cancer, this is especially true in the lower back and hips. Prostate cancer is the second most likely cause of death to a man in cancer related deaths. If left untreated and provided the man does not die of other reasons, it will cause death. As it is a slow developing cancer, in many cases the man may die of other causes before being killed by the cancer. This is especially true as prostate cancer is much more likely to occur amongst older men, and can take 15 years or more to full develop. If the cancer has reached an un-curable stage, then treatments can be effective at reducing pain and prolonging life, although as has been said once the cancer spreads to the bone it is usually untreatable.

The Survival Rates Prostate cancer, while not receiving as much exposure as other cancers, is the most common of all amongst men in the US and UK. According to the NHS, around 111 men out of 100000 will get prostate cancer at some point during their lives. As this type of cancer is a slow developing cancer and is most common amongst older men, many die of other causes without being affected by it. However it is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK. Around 10000 men die from it each year in the UK. In the past, because of the difficulty in treatment the survival rate for prostate cancer was quite low.

However for the last twenty years the survival rate has been improving and was around 86 percent in 2009. Compared to 31 percent in 1975, this is a vast improvement. Age plays the biggest factor in this type of cancer, with older men much more likely to suffer from it. Above 65 the chances of getting increase greatly, and above 85 even more. You can find out more about treatment options at our health-and-beauty-base.com website. Men with a family history of the cancer also have a much higher chance of getting it themselves. There is no known way of decreasing your risk of getting prostate cancer, although a diet including a lot of animal fats may increase the chance of getting it.

Prostate Cancer Options And Hormone Treatment

Prostate Cancer Options And Hormone Treatment

Depending on how advanced prostate cancer is, there are varying options for treatment. If caught early, prostate cancer can often be treated successfully, but once it has spread to the surrounding bone it is often impossible to cure. In that situation treatments focus on reducing symptoms and prolonging life. Prostate cancer is a slowly developing cancer, and can take up to 15 years to spread from the prostate gland to surrounding bone. Because of this, many men die of other causes without ever knowing they have the cancer. There are many different treatment options, and if diagnosed with prostate cancer you will receive advice from specialists. The final decision for your treatment will always be your own though. Option 1 - Watchful Waiting: If the cancer is diagnosed very early when it is causing no symptoms, it may be possible to wait to see whether any symptoms do develop. Because of the slow growth of prostate cancer, this is often advised for older men. Option 2 - Active Waiting: This is similar to option 1 but is recommended for younger men. The cancer will be monitored for signs that it is spreading outside of the prostate.

If it is, then treatment will be required. If it doesn't, it may not be necessary to undergo treatment at all. Option 3 - Treatment: If the cancer does require treatment there are many more options, including "Radical prostatectomy" which is where the prostate is removed, radiotherapy where cancer cells are killed by radiation, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. All have their own side effects, and you will always be given the choice as to whether you want to receive a certain treatment or not. Like I`ve said about there are many different possible treatments for prostate cancer, and hormone treatment is one of them. It is often used together with another treatment such as before radiotherapy or after other treatments. This helps increase the chances of success of the other treatments. In some cases however it is used on its own as it can slow the growth of the prostate cancer, while also reducing the symptoms. How hormone treatment works? Prostate cancer uses testosterone (a hormone) to grow, so by reducing the amount of testosterone or blocking its effects in the body the cancer may cease or slow down.

Usually, testosterone doesn't cause any problems, but if there are cancer cells in the prostate they will stop growing or shrink when they no longer have access to it. Possible side effects of prostate cancer hormone treatment: sweating, tiredness, weight gain, loss of sexual desire. This is because of the lack blocking of testosterone, but usually passes once the hormone treatment finishes. Other side effect is mood changes - Some men become depressed while on hormone therapy, and find themselves more emotional than usual. This can put an added strain on not only the man, but on those around them. Alternatives Hormone treatment is often used in conjunction with other therapies, and your specialist will be able to advise you on the best course of action. Other treatments can include "Radical prostatectomy" which removes the prostate gland, and radiotherapy which attempts to kill the cancer cells using radiation. Each have their own set of possible side effects.

Foods That Make You Poop

Foods That Make You Poop

1. Oatmeal

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The oat grains in oatmeal contain soluble fiber that help with digestive issues and support heart health—talk about a win-win! And it’s hard to be bored with oatmeal when you have all of these ideas to take it from ordinary to outstanding.

2. Water

H20 can’t stop, won’t stop with the health benefits. It not only keeps you hydrated, it also helps make bowel movements more regular. Yet another reason to hit the water cooler, stat.

3. High-Fiber Cereal

Start your day right with a bowl of high-fiber cereal. Just make sure the brand you pick contains 5 or more grams of fiber per serving, like All Bran and Fiber 1, Karlitz says.

4. Whole-Wheat Bread

Ditching white bread for the whole-wheat variety gives you an added dose of antioxidants and important nutrients—one of which is insoluble fiber. The average slice of whole-wheat bread has nearly 2 grams of fiber, more than double what you get in white bread. Whole-wheat bread: 1. White bread: 0.

5. Strawberries

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Just another reason to get your fill of nature’s candy. Strawberries are high in fiber, thanks to their edible seeds. Ripe bananas also have a substantial amount of soluble fiber, which Hassick says can help push waste through the bowels (you really needed that visual, didn't you?).

6. Almonds

With heart-healthy fats and generally good-for-you attributes, nuts are no doubt small but mighty—and almonds also come with a dose of soluble fiber. Two handfuls (23 almonds for those who are counting) have 3.5 grams of fiber.

7. Broccoli

Here’s a not-so-fun fact: Research suggests that if you don’t like veggies (and fruit for that matter), you’re much more likely to develop constipation.  So it should come as no surprise that vegetables made the cut here. Broccoli packs 5.1 grams of insoluble fiber per cup, so you should probably listen to mom about that whole eat-your-greens thing.

8. Ground Flaxseed

These little guys may be the single easiest way to sneak more fiber into your diet. Just one tablespoon contains 2.8 grams of soluble fiber, and because they’re super versatile, they can basically be added to anything from smoothies to salads to baked goods. Bonus: Flaxseeds are also high in omega-3s, so you’ll be helping out your heart too!

9. Popcorn

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As far as cravings go, popcorn is one of the healthier ones—provided you don’t load it with butter and salt. Plus, it’s a good thing to reach for when you’re plugged up. Air-popped popcorn has about 1 gram of fiber per cup, and with just 31 calories, it’s a-OK to dig in.

10. Black Beans

Sure, we all joke that beans make you toot, but they do a little more than that. They’re solid sources of soluble fiber—1 cup of boiled black beans contains a whopping 15 grams of fiber—making trips to the bathroom much more pleasant.

11. Yogurt

While experts recommend staying away from most dairy products(yes, that includes ice cream), if you’re battling constipation, yogurt may be the exception to the rule. The lactobacillus bacteria in yogurt can help keep you regular, Hassick says. Plus, research suggests that probiotics keep things running smoothly. 

12. Prunes

There’s a reason doctors tell you to drink prune juice when you’re plugged up. The dried fruit contains sorbitol and dihydrophenylisatin, which can help alleviate constipation, says Justin Robinson, R.D., founder of Venn Performance Coaching and a Greatist expert.

What to Watch Out For

Be careful with the pills you pop. Some meds, including antacids and iron supplements, are known constipation culprits. Foods won’t cause constipation directly, Karlitz says, but you still want to make sure you’re getting enough fiber and water in your diet.

And plenty of diets tend to be lacking in both departments. “Low-carbohydrate diets tend to be naturally low in beneficial fiber,” Hassick says. “High-fat diets can be hard on our digestive system, since fat takes the longest for our body to digest, therefore slowing the passage of food into the small intestine and into the colon.

Transitioning Out of Your Diet

Transitioning Out of Your Diet

Let’s be real for a second. There are no quick fixes to weight loss. As a matter of fact, it's a hell of a lot harder than just watching what you eat.

There is a not-so-glamorous term that many health professionals use to define what really works for losing weight and keeping it off, and it’s called "behavior modification." In research with obese individuals, scientists have found that just changing eating patterns or exercise habits is not enough to create lasting change.

Instead, it’s imperative to address the social and psychological cues associated with overeating. Quite simply, following food rules for the rest of your life is not sustainable, so it's important to dig deeper to determine why you are either going for junk food all of the time and/or eating too much (easier said than done, right?).

Research has found that these behavioral modifications should focus on psychological interventions. And new research points to the fact that cognitive behavioral therapy is the gold standard for treating obesity. In the case of the Greatist Reset (or any diet you choose), this may mean assessing why you chose the diet you did and whether it’s right for you. Did the low-sugar lifestyle give you more energy? Did you feel healthier eating more plants on the vegan plan? Once you recognize the reasoning behind those behaviors, it's easier to make long-lasting changes.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of handling your post-diet mentality, here are some tips to really help you stick with the respective diet plan (or at least some aspects of it).

Whole30

Phew—you may it through a month without sugar, alcohol, and bread. Now what? The founders have laid out ground rules for continuing a Whole30-ish eating plan for life.

• Eat Whole30-ish. 
  You’re probably dying for a piece of chocolate or glass of wine, and that’s totally OK. But the nice thing about doing the Whole30 for an entire month is that you’ve now learned how to eat plenty of whole foods without the junk (and proven to yourself that there are plenty of delicious recipes out there that are seriously good for you). Continue to do so and add in those indulgences on special occasions. Moderation is key to eating healthy and feeling good in the long run.
• Evaluate what’s worth it. If your birthday is coming up and you look forward to your favorite cupcake every year, by all means, indulge in the damn cupcake. But if you’re snacking on store-bought chocolate chip cookies while watching The Bachelor, ask yourself if it’s worth it. Food that brings you joy and is a once-in-a-while treat is worth the indulgence, while foods that you mindlessly eat are not. Do you really need that glass of wine after a long day as you sit on the sofa by yourself? Probably not. Save it (and a couple more) for a fun night out with friends come Friday.
• Be mindful of your food choices. When you do opt for something that’s not so healthy, savor it. Eat consciously, enjoy every bite, and do your best not to overeat.
• Don’t linger on the guilt. If you fall off the Whole30 bandwagon completely and can’t get out of the processed foods trap, don’t harp on your mistake. You’ve proven to yourself that you can do it, so pick yourself up and get back on. This afternoon, this evening, or tomorrow morning are all chances to start fresh.

Paleo

If eating like a caveman is your thing, here are some tips to keep up with your new Stone Age habits.

• Don’t force it. If you love bread or are a marathon runner, don’t compel yourself to adapt to a lifestyle 100 percent if that doesn’t suit your needs. You did it for a month and you’re feeling really cut, but it’s time to evaluate if this is something that works for you in the long run. Maybe it is, because the beauty of Paleo is that you can still enjoy a slice of bread, muffins, pancakes, and cookies as long as they are made with Paleo-approved ingredients like almond and coconut flours, pure maple syrup, and coconut oil.
• Move outside of your meat comfort zone. Yup, you basically get to eat as much meat as you want on the Paleo diet. Pass the (compliant) bacon, please. But don’t forget about the nutrient-rich veggies that should fill up half your plate. You can also experiment with different types of meats so you don’t fall into the chicken/pork/fish rut. Visit a local butcher and learn about the hundreds of different beef cuts on offer.
• Graze a little less on grass-fed ghee. We know that Bulletproof coffee is oh-so-creamy, but when your diet is 70 percent butter or ghee (slight exaggeration) it can turn into an unhealthy habit. Stick to a small amount each day—maybe a teaspoon or two to cook your eggs and one to blend into your coffee, or to lend some taste to your steamed broccoli. Do your best not to go overboard.

Vegan

Maybe you decided to embrace the veggie life. But if you spent the last month eating tofu and veggies, it’s time to venture out of your comfort zone. Here are some tips for making the vegan lifestyle last.

• Start with education. By now, you know that you can eat soy and veggies on a vegan diet, but there are plenty of other protein options, like seitan, tempeh, hemp, and quinoa that will give you a much-needed break from Tofurkey. Spend some time reading about various sources of vegan protein and make sure you're getting enough healthy fats, B12, iron, and calcium. 
• Don’t fall into the processed-food rut. There are tons of vegan-approved packaged foods out there, but just because you canhave them doesn’t mean you always should. Keep these vegan snacks on hand so you're stocked with the goods. But do your best to cook as much as you can at home because the beauty of vegan meals is that they can be whipped up pretty quickly. The longest you’ll have to wait is for vegetables to roast in the oven. And this is where the next tip fits in…
• Learn to cook. If you want to go plant-based, you’ve got to cook for yourself. Vegan options at restaurants are getting easier but can still be limited, so even grabbing a quick lunch might be difficult (the salad dressing has milk in it?!). Buy a vegan cookbook and spend a Saturday in the kitchen. Experiment with different proteins and dishes and get on board with meal-prepping so you know exactly what goes into your breakfast, lunch, and dinners.
• Make vegan friends but don’t get rid of old ones. Veganism is more than an eating pattern—it’s a way of life. Those who follow it are super passionate and are happy to teach you their ways. Go on Meetup.com and find a vegan potluck in your area. Make some vegan friends who know about the best vegan restaurants in the area. It’s much easier to continue a diet plan when you’ve got the support of your friends. On the flip side, don’t ditch your meat-eating friends just because they aren’t down with your diet choices. Make them a vegan dinner and get them involved, and they will come around to the fact that you're ordering a veggie burger instead of beef.

Low-Sugar

If you’re feeling super energized after your month without added sugar, then it’s worth continuing this way of eating. But to do so, here are some things you need to remember.

• Read the labels on everything. Unfortunately, sugar lurks in tons of processed foods. Sriracha, salsa, soups, breads, crackers. You name it—it’s probably got some sugar in it. While it’s totally fine to eat some added sugar every day (the dietary guidelines range from no more than 25-50 grams), it can quickly sneak its way into your diet. Watch out for words like corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, molasses, malt syrup, sucrose, raw sugar, confectioners sugar, anhydrous dextrose, agave, and maple syrup in ingredient lists.
• Find low-sugar snacks. There are some processed snacks that do a good job of keeping sugar to a minimum. For instance, roasted chickpeas and kale chips are great salty (and crunchy) snacks to satisfy midday hunger. Of course, fruit and Medjool dates (have you ever added almond butter to a date?!) are always a great sweet snack without added sugar. Or if you’re dying for some ice cream, try making your own out of frozen bananas and turn it into an epic sundae that keeps your sugar in check. 
• Keep sugar out of the house. Seriously, don’t keep an emergency bag of chocolate chip cookies hidden in a top cabinet. That’s a recipe for disaster. Make yourself go out and get those sweet treats if you really want them. Instead, leave a fresh fruit bowl on your counter or stock your cupboard with nuts.

Best food for life

Ever wonder why some nights you can’t make it 10 minutes into your latest Netflix obsession without falling asleep, while other nights, you fall down a rabbit hole of cute puppy pictures at 2 a.m? (We've all been there.) Sure, there are a number of psychological conditions associated with sleep disruption, but it could also be linked to what you eat. Before we dive into the unsettling truth on how your diet impacts your sleep, let’s tackle some of the most common assumptions about sleepy-time food.

1. Do I need to eat Thanksgiving-level amounts of turkey to get better rest?

It’s reasonable to assume that passing out after your favorite large meal is linked to the generous portion of overcooked meat you just inhaled, but research suggests this might not be the case. We’ve all heard about tryptophan—the magical amino acid found in abundance in so-called sleep-aids like turkey. Tryptophan is known to increase the feel-good brain chemical, serotonin, which in turn is converted into sleepy-time hormone melatonin.

A variety of studies have found that tryptophan supplementation may help improve sleep at doses as low as 1 gram, while 2.5 grams may help improve obstructive sleep apnea. So turkey dinner = naptime, yes? Well, not so fast.

A typical 3-ounce serving of turkey only contains 250-310 milligrams of the stuff, which is a far cry from the 1-gram standard to show a significant effect. It also appears that when tryptophan is present with other competing amino acids in protein-rich foods (yes, like turkey), it tends to get overridden, and very little of it actually gets to the brain. The bigger coma culprit? That carb-laden marshmallow topped casserole, mashed potatoes, rolls, and pie—all of which elicit an insulin response that helps our friend tryptophan do its job. Sorry, turkey, you’re no longer the star of our Thanksgiving slumber dreams.

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2. Does a nightly tea ritual help induce a deep slumber?

There’s something inherently calming about sipping on a warm cup of tea in bed, but research is inconclusive about its clinical effects. While one small study found chamomile tea helped women improve their sleep quality, another found no difference between drinkers and non-drinkers. Similarly, Valerian root tea has been used as a natural insomnia remedy for centuries, but a review of the literature suggests the research has been riddled with inconsistency, inconclusiveness, and poor methodology.

What about the lavender your grandmother swore by? Again, the research is spotty at best. While two studies found the herbs to provide modest improvements in nervousness and relaxation, after four weeks it seems they had little impact. We say grab a cup for the soothing, cozy factor and douse your pillow in a lavender spray if that seems to help you, but don't bank on that every night to knock you out.

3. Should I take a cue from a newborn and sip warm milk before bed?

While a glass of warm milk may be emotionally comforting, like the turkey situation, it’s physiological role in sleep is likely just not strong enough to make an impact. Milk has even less of that sleep-inducing tryptophan than turkey, just about 100 mg per cup. It’s also rich in protein which may, again, decrease the amino acid’s effectiveness at inducing sleep. Still, people have been downing (and swearing by) the dairy drink for years, so do what works for you.

4. Should I forgo the chocolate and cheese after dinner to avoid disruptive dreams?

Research has found that when asked, people cited dairy products and chocolate as the most common causes of vivid, bizarre, and disturbing dreams, but these findings were based on perceptions, not actual causation. Sure, if you find that certain foods disrupt your slumber, maybe indulge a little earlier in the day, but there’s little evidence to suggest they actually have an effect. Chocolate does contain small amounts of caffeine but not likely enough to keep you tossing and turning.

Best Foods for Sleep

OK, so if turkey and milk aren't surefire solutions, what the heck can you eat to lull yourself into a sweet slumber? Here's what you need to know about the best foods for sleep.

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• Tart Cherries
  
  Strange as it sounds, drink some tart cherry juice before bed. Tart cherries contain significant amounts of anti-inflammatory substances and melatonin. One pilot study found that drinking tart cherry juice may improve the sleep in insomniacs, while another study found that they could even benefit already good sleepers (you lucky dogs, you). If you’re looking to indulge, opt for a juice without any added sugar like the options from R.W. Knudsen, Stoneridge Orchards, or Eden Organic. 
• Jasmine Rice
  While most nutrition recommendations urge you to cut back on the high-glycemic index (GI) carbs, restless nights may warrant a legit exception. White rice, like jasmine, is higher on the GI scale, triggering a release of insulin which drives the sleep-inducing amino acid tryptophan into the brain. One studyfound that consuming jasmine rice within four hours of bedtime helped significantly improve sleep quality for participants. Make sure you’re enjoying your rice with a source of protein and without too much soy sauce or other sodium-laden condiments to prevent you from chugging down water before bed and getting up to pee all night long. Sushi date, anyone?
• Kiwi
  Packed with vitamins C, E, folate, and the happy-happy brain chemical, serotonin, kiwis are a surprisingly powerful bedtime fruit. One study found that four weeks of eating kiwi two times per day improved the sleep onset, duration, and efficiency of adults with sleep disturbances. If you’re more a fan of sweet than sour, try switching the classic greens with the Sungold variety, which have a flavor somewhere between a mango and strawberry.

• Pistachios
  Known as the nut with the most melatonin for sleepers struggling with an anxious mind, a modest ounce of pistachios also contains about 10 percent of your daily magnesium needs to help ease any physical tension too. One study found that supplementing with the natural muscle relaxant, magnesium, improved the sleep time, efficiency, and levels of melatonin in elderly participants. We love the No Salt Wonde