There are times when a midnight snack is simply irresistible. Maybe you have to stay up late working, or perhaps you simply can’t get to sleep. Whatever the reason, there is no denying that a midnight snack has a special sort of appeal.

Unfortunately, many people feel guilty about eating late at night for fear of excess weight gain. But in fact, eating late at night isn’t necessarily worse for you than eating other times of the day, as long as you make healthy decisions. Men’s Health Magazine recommends keeping your midnight snacks to less than 300 calories. Any more and it is considered a full meal. And anyone can guess that adding a full meal to your daily routine can certainly lead to weight gain.

Healthy Midnight Snacks

Men’s Health goes on to say that it is best to wait an hour or two to go to bed after your healthy late snack so you will have enough time to digest your food before sleeping. It is also a good idea to stick to snacks that are high in proteins as opposed to those that are high in carbohydrates. Try snacking on these low calorie foods if you have a late night craving:

• A Fruit Smoothie – A smoothie made with kefir or almond milk is a sweet way to wind down from the day. The kefir contains beneficial probiotic bacteria, which is healthy for your digestion.
• Yogurt – Low fat yogurt is a great food to snack on at any time of day, including late night cravings. It is high in protein, a great source of dairy, and you can even add in some sliced fruit or berries to get an extra serving of fruit for the day.
• Popcorn – What could possibly go better with late night television than some healthy air popped popcorn? High-fiber popcorn will satisfy your snacking urges and fill you up.
• Sliced Fruit or Veggies – You know that fruit and vegetables have many health benefits. Are you getting enough servings? Adding a late night snack of fruit or veggies will help boost your daily intake.

If you love snacking late at night, don’t worry. As long as you do it mindfully, you can still stick to your healthy diet.

Source:

• “10 Healthy Late-Night Snacks”, Mens Health Magazine

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