Healthy Bedtime Snacks: Top 5

Healthy Bedtime Snacks: Top 5

So what’s the real deal on late night snacking?

We’ve all heard people say that eating after dinner is a bad idea for dieting and weight loss. Some even adopt rules about no eating after 7 or 8 PM.

The truth is, this is a myth. When it comes down to it, snacking can help keep your metabolism up, even at night, meaning you’ll keep burning calories longer.

Having a bedtime snack can also help avoid waking up extra hungry.

So what’s the trick?

The trick is choosing the right healthy bedtime snack. If your bedtime snacks include sugary candy bars, cookies, or chips, then you’re definitely not on the path to weight loss.

Like any other meal, and even more importantly before bed, you need to put healthy nutrition first. This means healthy carbs like veggies or whole grains, protein, and low fat and sugar content. The only problem with bedtime snacking is that you’re not going to do much to burn off the calories – you’ll be sleeping!

It’s also a good idea to avoid spicy foods, citrus fruits, or other foods like tomato sauce that can cause indigestion or heartburn. In addition to being higher in calories, fatty foods can actually interfere with your sleep by being harder on your digestion.

And of course, the golden rule for snacking: small portion sizes. I’d recommend aiming for 200-300 calories at most for bedtime snacks.

So, who wants some healthy bedtime snack ideas? Keep reading for my Top 5 suggestions!

Here are my top 5 healthy bedtime snack ideas:

1.) 1 slice of whole grain toast with a small slice of low-fat cheese (around 120 calories)

2.) 1 cup of oatmeal (unsweetened) with sliced banana (around 170 calories)

3.) 1 cup of corn flakes with a cup of skim milk (around 200 calories)

4.) 1 rice cake topped with a tomato slice and a slice of turkey breast (around 60 calories)

5.) 1 banana with a tablespoon of natural or organic peanut butter (around 180 calories)

All of these ideas should help satisfy your late night cravings. Remember to go for low calorie snacks. Another trick is to look for snacks high in the amino acid tryptophan. This can help your body create more serotonin, which can help you relax before bed and induce sleep.

Keep bananas in mind, too. They’re high in potassium, which is needed for deep sleep, and actually contain some tryptophan. Some other sleep-inducing foods include oats, honey, and poultry. Include these in your bedtime snacks whenever you can, and you’ll fight cravings and sleep better for it!

But wait! There’s one other thing…

If you work out and hit the gym regularly, you want to make sure you’re getting that extra protein punch from your bedtime snacks. Try having a tasty casein protein shake as a snack, like the Chocolate Cake Batter flavour of Optimum 100% Casein Protein, which can be mixed with a banana or some skim milk. You’ll accomplish a few goals at once, including muscle repair!

Have any questions or feedback about Healthy Bedtime Snacks? Please leave a comment below…

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