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Just like many of us, my habit of late-night snacking used to hit my weight goals quite hard. I would sneak into the kitchen after dinner, rummaging through the fridge for anything I could munch on. Chips, sweets, leftover biryani, sandwiches, ice creams—nothing was off-limits. As a kid, this constant eating led to some serious weight issues.
With my mother’s great cooking skills and thanks to the habit of overeating, at the tender age of 14, I weighed almost 79 kg. It wasn't until Maa decided to intervene that things started to change. She believed that staying fit didn’t mean sacrificing flavour or the joy of eating. Slowly, I was introduced to her healthier snack options, and they became a turning point in my life. If you relate to my journey towards healthy weight loss while keeping my love for food alive, then read on.
These midnight snacks didn’t just satisfy my cravings; they also helped me manage my weight. My mum’s recipes were magical because they didn’t involve deep-frying or heavy oils. Instead, they were packed with flavour, nutrients, and the right kind of crunch. Over time, these snacks became my go-to whenever a craving kicked in, and they still kept me fit without feeling deprived. And guess what! How much do I weigh now? 56kgs, to be precise.
These recipes truly saved my life. They allowed me to stay in control of my health while still enjoying the pleasure of eating. Unlike the usual midnight snack options, which are often full of processed ingredients and unhealthy fats, these homemade snacks are made with natural ingredients and zero oil. They not only helped me shed the extra weight but also changed my relationship with food. I no longer saw snacking as something I had to avoid; instead, it became something I could enjoy guilt-free. These snacks have been my secret to staying fit, all thanks to the wisdom passed down from my mum's kitchen.
My Favourite Homemade Midnight Snacks For Fitness
Protein-Packed Spinach Moong Dal Bora
Spinach Moong Dal Bora is one of my favourites. This dish combines boiled moong dal, spinach, green chilli, cumin powder, and ginger paste. My mum would mix them all together and shape them into small, round boras. Instead of frying them, she would sauté them lightly in a pan brushed with oil. Here are the ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup boiled moong dal
- 1 cup finely chopped spinach
- 1 green chilli (chopped)
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon oil (for sautéing)
The result is a crispy snack full of protein and fibre, perfect for keeping you full without adding extra calories. The spinach adds a good dose of iron, making this a good source of nutrition while satisfying my late-night cravings.
Chicken Sweet Corn Tikki
Chicken sweet corn tikki is another snack that balances taste with fitness. My mum would take boiled chicken, mashed potatoes, and sweet corn kernels and mix them with onions, spices, and a pinch of chat masala for that extra zing. So, here’s the amount you need to follow.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup boiled chicken (shredded)
- 1 large potato (boiled and mashed)
- ½ cup sweet corn kernels
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- ½ teaspoon garam masala or other spices of your choice
- ½ teaspoon chat masala
- 1 tablespoon oil (for cooking)
Cook them on a lightly oiled pan until golden brown. The chicken gives you a lean protein boost, while the sweet corn adds natural sweetness and fibre. This snack helped me keep my protein intake high while staying away from the grease.
Masoor Dal Sweet Potato Bora
Masoor Dal Sweet Potato Bora became my lifesaver when I craved something hearty but light. Boiled red lentils and mashed sweet potatoes are mixed with spices like cumin and black pepper.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup boiled red lentils (masoor dal)
- 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil (for cooking)
Shaped into small tikkis and cooked in a pan brushed with oil, they come out crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The combination of sweet potato and masoor dal kept me full longer, making it easier to resist reaching for less healthy options.
Chicken Carrot Tikki
Chicken Carrot Tikki was my go-to for something savoury yet sweet. Mashed boiled carrots mixed with shredded chicken, rice flour, and a pinch of jaggery powder gave this snack a unique flavour.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup boiled carrots (mashed)
- 1 cup shredded chicken
- 2 tablespoons rice flour
- 1 teaspoon jaggery powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon oil (for cooking)
My mum would shape them into small patties and cook them in an oil-brushed pan. The natural sweetness from the carrot and jaggery paired with the savoury chicken made it a filling snack that didn't feel heavy. It's the perfect blend of sweet and savoury, and it kept my energy up without making me feel sluggish.
Beetroot Moong Dal Fingers
For something colourful and nutritious, Beetroot Moong Dal Fingers were my ultimate snack. Beetroot and moong dal, both boiled and mashed, are mixed with spices and shaped into finger-sized portions.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup boiled beetroot (mashed)
- 1 cup boiled moong dal
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil (for brushing)
Maa would bake them for ten minutes after brushing them with a bit of oil, and they'd come out golden brown with a hint of beetroot's earthy sweetness. These fingers were always a hit, especially with a sprinkle of chaat masala on top for that tangy kick. This snack, full of antioxidants from the beetroot and protein from the dal, kept me on track with my fitness goals.
Guilt-free Mashed Ripe Banana, Semolina, And Rice Flour Cookies
My sweet tooth was satisfied with Mashed Ripe Banana, Semolina, and Rice Flour Cookies. These cookies were soft, naturally sweetened by the ripe bananas, and free of added sugar.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas (mashed)
- ½ cup semolina
- ½ cup rice flour
My mum would mash ripe bananas and mix them with semolina and rice flour to form a dough, which she then baked into soft, chewy cookies. These were perfect for those nights when I wanted something sweet without the guilt of sugar-filled treats.
Nutritious Sesame Almond Energy Laddu
Sesame laddu has been my go-to snack for midnight cravings, helping me maintain my weight while satisfying my hunger. These energy-packed bites, made with sesame seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, and almonds, are not only nutritious but also rich in healthy fats and fibre.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup sesame seeds
- ¼ cup flax seeds
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup almonds (chopped)
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup jaggery (for binding)
The addition of ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, and pepper boosts their healing properties, helping me recover from fatigue quickly. Jaggery binds everything together while providing a natural sweetness without processed sugar. These laddus give me lasting energy, helping me feel full without overeating, making them ideal for weight management and overall wellness.
These recipes are way more than midnight snacks; they prove how healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or tasteless. My mum’s creations taught me that you can enjoy what you eat and stay fit at the same time. These snacks helped me manage my weight, satisfy my cravings, and, most importantly, maintain a balanced relationship with food. Now, when midnight cravings strike, I know exactly what to reach for, and I do it without any guilt.
Saborni Saha is a Slurrp Editor who has had a personal fitness journey based on practising yoga and healthy food habits. This article provides insight into methods she has used to remain fit while also managing to be a cook and foodie.
