You have had your dinner and now it is time to go to bed. But what, you want to eat again?
There are many reasons why people eat after dinner. It could be because you are watching your favorite show and want to snack on something, or maybe because you have some cravings, stress or simply hunger.
So is it ok to eat at midnight? Technically, you should stop eating meals or high calorie foods after sunset. But if you feel hungry at midnight, you should eat something.
The right kinds of food won’t slow down your metabolism or promote weight gain. Here are some good food options for midnight snacking.
1. Walnuts
Walnuts make a perfect late-night snack as they naturally contain melatonin, a compound that supports healthy sleep. Walnuts are also rich in magnesium which helps to calm nerve activity and promote healthy sleep. This will put both your mind and stomach to good rest.
2. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is another healthy option for late night snacking. It contains gut-friendly probiotics and protein to keep you full and stabilize blood sugar. You can eat it with some cherries or berries, based on what is available in your refrigerator.
3. Popcorn
A fun snack for midnight is popcorn. The catch here is to not use butter and salt loaded packaged popcorns. Instead, buy unsalted popcorn kernels and prepare them using little oil and herbs. Popcorn is rich in fiber and will keep you feeling satisfied until the morning. Here are some of the worst snacks for midnight.
4. Pizza
Eating pizza late at night can cause stomach ache, uneasiness and bloating. Cheese is loaded with high-fat cheese, acidic sauce and refined flour, which can together lead to weight gain.
5. Cereals
You may think there is no harm in eating this breakfast option late at night. However, most of these crunchy cereals are loaded with sugar, consuming which right before bed can cause a spike in your blood sugar and increase insulin levels.
6. Chips
We cannot talk about the worst midnight snacks and miss out on chips. This go-to snacking option is high on salt and carbs. Did you know that there are about the same calories in 3 cups of popcorn as in 12 chips? Avoid stocking chips in your kitchen as you may end up eating a packet or two during your late night binge.
