Often, you have faced this situation where you have eaten your dinner and it’s time to go to bed. But you are having food cravings again. This is because you fall prey to midnight cravings. Late-night cravings have always got us, even though we eat properly throughout the day.
There are several reasons why you have late-night or midnight cravings. Either you are binge-watching something and want to snack on something, or you simply have cravings for stress or hunger. However, it is not a healthy habit to binge on food late at night. Ideally, it is said you should stop eating meals or high-calorie food after sunset. But what would you do if you felt hungry at midnight? We would suggest you eat the right kind of food that won’t slow down your metabolism or promote weight gain.
We have jotted down several healthy foods that you can eat during your midnight cravings. Take a look at them:
- Walnuts
They are the perfect midnight snack as they naturally contain melatonin, a compound that supports healthy sleep. Besides, they are rich in magnesium, which helps calm nerve activity and helps you have healthy sleep. Walnuts will provide both your mind and stomach with good rest.
- Greek Yoghurt
This is another healthy option for late-night cravings. It contains gut-friendly probiotics and protein that help you remain full and maintain your blood sugar level. You can have Greek yoghurt with some cherries or berries.
- Popcorn
You may find this weird, but this is a healthy and tasty midnight snack. Note not to use butter or salt-laden popcorn. Instead, buy unsalted popcorn kernels and prepare them with a little oil and herbs. Popcorn is rich in fibre and will keep you full and satisfied until the morning.
However, there are some midnight snacks that, when eaten, can lead to bloating, acidity, and weight gain. It is necessary to avoid those snacks when having late-night cravings. Take note of the worst snacks for late-night eating:
- Pizza
The presence of high-fat cheese, acidic sauce, and refined flour used in making pizza can lead to weight gain when eaten at midnight. Pizza can make you feel bloated and cause stomach aches and uneasiness.
- Cereals
You might think that eating this morning's breakfast at midnight is a healthy option. You’re utterly wrong. Most of the crunchy cereals are loaded with sugar. Eating this right before going to bed can cause a spike in blood sugar and increase insulin levels.
- Chips
What most people binge on late at night is chips. This might be the easiest option they have. Chips, high in salt and carbs, can lead to acidity, bloating, and other digestive problems.