Many of us are plagued by the late night munchies and uncontrollable sugar cravings, steering clear of healthy snacks in the process. If handled improperly, we find our paws nearing the bottom of a bag of potato chips or polishing off a tub of rocky road ice cream, followed by a restless night of sleep.
Whether you’re pulling an all-nighter preparing for an exam or participating in a Netflix marathon with friends, there are many healthy late night snack choices for you to truly indulge in without feeling too guilty. The good news is, these seven foods require little to no preparation time and simultaneously satisfy cravings and hunger pains.
Number Seven: Oatmeal. Although a breakfast staple, oatmeal can make for a great late night snack too. Fiber-rich with the ability to fill your tummy, oatmeal is also a natural source of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleeping cycles.
Number Six: Pistachios. High in protein and full of nutrients, pistachios are an awesome lower-calorie nighttime pick. A one-ounce serving calls for 49 pistachios, whereas one serving of almonds only calls for 23; you get more of these nuts per ounce than any other nut!
Number Five: Popcorn Snacks
If you suffer from relentless salt cravings, skip the pizza for a helping of popcorn. Throw a carton of organic kernels into your shopping cart the next time you’re in supermarket and pop them on the stove or in a brown paper bag in the microwave. Sprinkle with sea salt to kick that sodium craving to the curb as you spare your body hundreds of empty pizza calories.
Number Four: Greek Yogurt. Instead of ice cream, reach for Greek yogurt. Not only is it packed with protein, but it’s also lower in calories, fat and sugar and is easily digested, which in turn won’t disrupt your night’s sleep. Feel free to add berries, honey or cocoa powder for added sweetness.
Number Three: Bananas. With the ability to quell your urge for sugar, bananas are naturally sweet and also easy to digest. Snack on a banana to increase your body’s production of melatonin in an effort to achieve those quality zzz’s.
Number Two: Frozen Blueberries Snacks
There are only 85 calories in one cup of blueberries. Freeze them if you’re looking for a cold sweetness similar to ice cream or if you’re a fan of cancer-fighting antioxidants.
Number One: Dark Chocolate. There’s always room for dessert, and it’s even better if it’s chocolate. Consuming sugar at night can cause your blood sugar to plummet while you’re sleeping and signals the body to wake up, begging you to eat. To suppress your sugar cravings and also get a good night’s sleep, opt for 70% dark chocolate.
