Healthy Before-Bed Snacks
Snacking before bedtime is a no-no when it comes to weight loss or weight maintenance. When you sleep, your metabolism slows down. Therefore, foods that you eat right before bedtime don't get burned, but are stored as fat instead. If you crave a snack late at night, you should avoid high-fat, high-calorie foods and caffeinated beverages, because these will only keep you up. There are certain foods you can eat late at night that are considered healthy -- some may even help you sleep better.
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Sleep-Inducing Snacks
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If you suffer from insomnia, a snack before bedtime can help. You should consume a combination of carbohydrates and tryptophan, which is an amino acid that your brain uses to produce the sleep-inducing substances serotonin and melatonin. Some examples of healthy snacks you can eat include whole-grain cereal with milk, a cup of chamomile tea with a banana, half of a turkey sandwich and hazelnuts and tofu.
Muscle-Building Snacks
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If you're physically active and work out with weights to increase muscle tissue and burn fat, a healthy late-night snack can be just what your body needs. When you sleep, your body restores muscles that you worked during your strength-training routine. However, eight hours is a long time for your body to go without nutrients to aid in this healing process. Eating a high-protein, fiber-rich snack before bed will provide your body with nutrients it can use for recovery. Eat a small, 100-calorie snack, such as a couple of bites of a high-protein meal replacement bar, or a protein shake with carbohydrates and fiber.
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Low-Calorie Snacks
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If you're not following a special diet or exercise regimen, but would still like to indulge in a snack before bed from time to time, you can choose from a variety of healthy snacks that are under 200 calories. Some choices include fruit, nuts, vegetables, 2 cups of fat-free popcorn, a serving of instant oatmeal, or light yogurt.
Liquid Snacks
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Sometimes thirst is mistaken for hunger. According to the Heathguidance website, hunger can be brought on by dehydration. Drinking two or three glasses of water can help hydrate your body. Avoid drinking sugary drinks like sodas, and choose fruit-flavored drinks made with real fruit juice instead. Other healthy liquid snacks are skim milk, vegetable juice and tomato juice.
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References
- Photo Credit Sleeping image by Clark Duffy from Fotolia.com
