Contrary to the popular belief that no midnight snack is a healthy snack, midnight snacks can in fact be made healthy. A growling stomach can be detrimental to any diet, especially a growling stomach in the morning or before bed. If you make smart decisions about what and how much to eat, a midnight snack can help you stay on target in your diet by helping you resist strong cravings brought on by hunger.
The Right Kinds of Snacks
When choosing a midnight snack, try searching for things that are small or low in calories. Nuts make a wonderful late night snack because just a small amount can make you feel full. A single serving of unbuttered popcorn is low in calories and will also keep you feeling full. Try eating small snacks that contain tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes lethargy. Turkey and milk are snacks that contain tryptophan and are relatively low in calories.
Drink Water
Many times, a craving for food is actually brought on by dehydration. Many people mistake hunger for what is actually thirst. Before grabbing a snack, try drinking one or two glasses of water to see if that satisfies your craving. If you're still hungry, try snacking on vegetables; these can help hydrate you and keep you from ingesting a large number of calories right before bed.
Resist Cravings
Whatever you do, don't run to the kitchen looking for whatever snack you can find. When you have a craving, wait five minutes and determine how strong your hunger is. If you are, in fact, hungry, decide what you will eat before you get to the kitchen. Going into your kitchen hungry with no idea of what to eat makes it easier for you to give in to your craving and grab whatever is easiest --- like a bag of chips.
Breaking the Habit
Although midnight snacks can be made healthy, it may be a good idea to break the habit of eating right before bed. If you find yourself feeling hungry before bedtime, try eating your dinner later in the evening. Make sure to drink lots of water before bed, as this will help curb hunger. Try going to bed earlier as well, which can keep you from snacking at night and give you more energy throughout the day. Exercising often can help regulate your sleep schedule and get you in and out of bed earlier.
Member Comments