Late night snacks are one of the guilty pleasures that we can’t just help but indulge. But these late night snacks tend to have negative effects when you indulge in the bad types of snacks. Eating unhealthy snacks late at night tend to add up calories. When you overeat before going to bed, you are likely to store more fat than during the day when you could “work or walk” it out.
It is important to be Snack smart at night to experience weight loss so here are lists of healthy snacks you can enjoy before hitting the bed:
1. Popcorn
To snack on popcorn and enjoy it without the calorie induced contents, one has to skip the butter and be creative with lemon, sea salt, and other delicious spices. Adding a bit of parmesan cheese to help for taste. A cup comes at a mere 30 calories and it is packed with fiber.
2. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate which is rich in antioxidants and fiber helps to lose weight. Void of sugar which milk chocolate is known to have, at least 72% cocoa can help with this goal.
3. Dried Figs
Dried figs are a substitute for candy cravings. Natural candy never disappoints as it contains nutrients that will help the body. Packed with fiber and are naturally low in fat are a good choice.
4. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a much healthier choice because it is high in protein and low in sugar, unlike a pint of Ben & Jerry’s that will elevate your blood sugar levels like typical desserts do. Buying plain yogurt and adding fruits or cocoa will serve as a healthier choice.
5. Frozen Berries
If you’re an ice cream lover, you’ll appreciate this option. Freezing fruit such as berries or bananas will resemble a sorbet-like treat to satisfy your sweet tooth. They’re also rich in fiber which increases satiety, and packed with healthy vitamins and antioxidants to boot.
6. Apple & Peanut Butter
Along with providing you a satisfying sweetness and crunch, apples are full of fiber. The protein in the peanut butter will keep you full while providing you with a dessert-like creaminess all without leaving a heavy feeling to your stomach.
7. Banana
At only about 100 calories each, a banana is rich in fiber to satiate you and it is full of the amino acid tryptophan which your body uses to manufacture serotonin and melatonin—both important mood and sleep-regulating neurotransmitters.
8. Raw Veggies
They are high in water content and fiber and help one feel full. Raw vegetables like carrot sticks, celery, ball peppers, snap peas and cucumbers are good choices and carries 25 to 50 calories per cup.
9. Mixed Nuts
High protein snacks like mixed nuts move slowly through your digestive tract, so you’ll feel fuller for longer. Just be mindful to have only a handful or two, since nuts are high in calories.
10. Cherries
These are low in calories, serve in the sweet tooth category and aids for good sleeping as they are high in melatonin. Preventing you from late night snacking too!
11. Oatmeal
These are Whole grains such as oats that are high in protein and fiber and low in calories. The carbohydrates in oatmeal cause a release of the feel-good hormone serotonin in the body, which works to decrease stress and put the mind in a calmer state and also help you to feel full.
