Late-night snacking is not a disease. In fact, you'll be happy to know that even dietitians are suggesting some healthier snacking choices that can put a stop to those after-8 PM cravings.
Eating late-night snacks is great, but they need to be healthy. Consuming fewer calories during the day causes these midnight cravings. Instead, one can eat a nutritious and balanced meal during the day to help reduce post-dinner cravings.
Don't starve all day, instead of starving yourself, have a small, nutritious meal/snack. Get a cup of fresh tea/green coffee, a banana or a little bowl of fruit salad, or coconut water or soup, or even buttermilk, if you ever want to put a stop to those cravings.
But what if, in those hours, you still feel hungry? Here are five late-night healthy snacks that you can snack on:
Cheese and crackers
When you're starving for something tasty at night, just think of cheese and crackers. Keep an eye on your serving sizes if you watch your weight because cheese can get high in calories and fat if you eat a lot of it.
And go for whole-grain crackers that contain filling fiber. If you need a little more quantity to be satisfied until morning, add some fresh grapes, apple slices, or fresh vegetables.
Berries
You can't beat a bowl of berries if your sweet tooth has to be fulfilled. Besides being filled with fiber that makes you full, berries contain magnesium, a mineral that relaxes the nerves and muscles to speed up sleep.
Turkey sandwich
Start with lean protein like turkey and whole-grain bread and add a slice of tomato, some lettuce, and a little mayonnaise or mustard. The mixture of protein and complex carbs will relieve hunger pangs.
Yogurt and fruit
Yogurt is an excellent source of calcium that has been associated with improved sleep. Just be careful to check the labels before you buy them and certain types are rich in added sugar-empty calories that you don't need. Choose plain yogurt and incorporate the flavor of fruit, chopped nuts, and antioxidant-rich honey.
Fresh vegetables and dip
If you're looking for something crunchy and low-cal, the ticket is fresh vegetables. Any mix of raw carrots, broccoli florets, cucumber slices, celery, zucchini, peppers, and grape tomatoes will do well to help quell the rumbling in your stomach. Enhance the taste with a dip made from low-fat cottage cheese or Greek yogurt.
