You know that middle of the night moment? It’s late. You haven’t eaten in hours. When hunger runs high and your power runs low. Your stomach grumbles. Then suddenly that snacks back from your freezer is calling your name! When you would bother yourself to get up from the comfort of your bed and stand in front of your refrigerator going through leftovers or else searching kitchen cupboards for that exact something which would hit the spot like ripping open a packet of chocolate chip cookies or a big bag of chips.
The impulse to have midnight snacks seems to be so natural. But all of the leading healthcare providers say it is terrible for you, especially if you are planning to
lose weight. What gives? So, here the best option is to know your weaknesses and play along as well as safe.
We did our homework and found the happy middle between starving or depriving yourself and stuffing yourself silly just before crashing onto the bed.
Popcorn:
Isn’t it a great midnight snack? No one can ever deny hand-popped popcorn that makes a great midnight snack. But stay away from those with too much salt and flavors. Instead, just sprinkle some red chili powder, masala or cinnamon for a unique flavor and enjoy your popcorn without feeling guilty or packing on more weight.
Breakfast Cereals
Isn’t it a breakfast food? Absolutely, but whole grain breakfast cereals, oatmeal, and grains are a perfect midnight grab as well! You can have the following foods that are rich in fiber and protein and will taste great with skimmed milk and yogurt.
- Wheat flakes
- Bran flakes
- Rolled oats
- Muesli
You can throw in some strawberries and blueberries to the mix that are filled with antioxidants and will do wonders for your body.
Leftovers From Dinner
There’s no harm in looking up the leftovers from dinner. As long as you keep the portion small and don’t make into dinner #2, leftovers make a good midnight snack
Nuts and Seeds
- A high fiber and antioxidant content can help stimulate your secretion of serotonin that leaves you feeling full and gives you a good night sleep. Pistachios are a great choice – they have lower salt content than most of the processed snacks.
- Almonds are another great alternative. They are the complete pack of nutrients, and an excellent way to get your fix of protein, fiber, magnesium, as well as vitamin E. Additionally, pumpkin seeds, are a good source of protein, vitamin B, iron, zinc, and magnesium.
Vegetables
- High in nutrients, water content, as well as antioxidant levels – effective in preventing dehydration. Munch some crunchy baby carrots with a dip of nonfat yogurt, pepper and garlic salt.
- Opt to snack on other salad veggies like broccoli or cucumber.
- Of course, sliced tomatoes sprinkled with pepper and olive oil is a refreshing way to keep your taste buds and stomach happy.
Baked fruits
If you are craving for something warm, sweet and gooey, don’t again go for a brownie. Here is another idea, peel a banana or core and apple, bake it with just a sprinkle of brown sugar on top to make it all soft. Take it out and sprinkle some cinnamon and enjoy. A pie with no high-calorie crust!
Eggs
- Rich in protein and fats that can keep you full. Another guilt-free food you can snack in order to battle your midnight cravings. They are quick and easy to prepare.
- Omelets are one among the popular choices and can be mixed with pepper, onion, mushrooms to make them more flavorful.
Nut Butters
- They make a very satisfying treat because they are a pack of health and nutrition and with a great taste of course!
- Natural almond butter makes a great spread on top of a whole grain bread.
Frozen Fruits:
Freeze some fruits such as grapes, pears, bananas and let them sit in the freezer. The next time you are craving some ice cream, grab one of these frozen fruits, the perfect snacks! It is much tastier and healthier than it sounds. Make a low-fat smoothie with these fruits and enjoy the taste!
Milk As The Midnight Snacks!
A nice glass of warm milk can help you sleep better as the tryptophan content that stimulates
serotonin production in the body also induces sleep. You can as well add vanilla flavored protein powder in a cup of skimmed milk. Blend the mixture with ice experience a healthy milkshake snacks!
Never ever forget to drink water. One of the prominent reasons you feel hungry is dehydration. You might mistake your thirst for hunger. So, drink a glass of water whenever you are feeling hungry in the middle of the night to settle down your stomach. But you should understand the reason why your body’s asking for food when it ideally should be dozing off, as in a cycle of a natural day.
