Search results
Oct 30, 2023 · The Bottom Line. Late-night snacking's impact on your body varies depending on the quality and quantity of food you eat. While certain foods can disrupt sleep and cause digestive issues, some may boost sleep quality. Avoid eating large, heavy meals or ultra-processed foods high in calories and added sugar before bed.
- Best and Worst Late-Night Snacks
2. Nuts. "Walnuts are an awesome late-night snack because...
- Best and Worst Late-Night Snacks
- Your Weight Might Go Up. Eating at night isn't inherently unhealthy as long as you're picking nutritious foods and staying within your daily caloric needs.
- Your Digestion May Suffer. You digest best when you're upright and gravity can help move food down through your digestive system, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- Your Blood Sugar Might Change. Another reason why it may be bad to eat late at night is because processed, high-carb foods can cause unhealthy blood sugar spikes, especially for people with diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- Your Growth Hormone Levels Might Go Down. Your pituitary gland secretes human growth hormone (HGH), which helps children grow and builds and repairs tissue like muscles and bones throughout your life, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- What Experts Say About Late-Night Snacking
- Late-Night Snacking Pros and Cons
- 5 Best Late-Night Snacks
- 5 Worst Late-Night Snacks
- The Bottom Line
"If you're hungry at night, you should eat something," says Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RD, a family nutrition expert. "Eating at night will not slow down your metabolism, and if you're smart about snacking, you won't gain weight either. Do a mental inventory of what you've eaten throughout the day and see what you've missed. Most often, it's going to ...
While Pflugradt says that snacking in the evening may not be a bad thing, you may also hear that you shouldn't eat after 8 p.m. or that if you're going to eat later in the day, you should only eat certain foods. According to 2020 research in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, it may be timing, quality of food and quantity of food that affect whe...
1. String Cheese
"A part-skim mozzarella cheese stick is a great late-night snack. It contains about 100 calories and 7 grams of protein. Protein is an important factor for any late-night snack because it keeps you feeling full," says Lauren Kaufman Aronson M.S., M.Ed., RD, CDN,a pediatric endocrinology dietitian at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. "Or make a mini cheese board," adds Pflugradt, "A mini cheese board can help you feel like you are getting a pretty substantial snack." A mini cheese board c...
2. Nuts
"Walnuts are an awesome late-night snack because they naturally contain melatonin, a compound that supports healthy sleep," says Lauren Manaker, M.S., RDN, LD, CLEC. "Plus, walnuts naturally contain magnesium, a mineral that can help calm nerve activity and help people get some healthy shut-eye," Manaker adds. According to a 2022 study in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, walnuts contain the highest amount of melatonin of all nuts. This study also found that raw walnuts have highe...
3. Greek Yogurt with Fruit
"Greek yogurt contains gut-friendly probiotics and protein to keep you full and stabilize blood sugar," says Lisa Young, Ph.D., RDN, author ofFinally Full, Finally Slim. Young suggests pairing yogurt with tart cherries, which are rich in melatonin. Berries are a great option, too, because they are high in fiber. Rebecca Clyde, M.S., RDN, CD, a cooking-for-one expert at Nourish Nutrition, suggests making a peanut butter Greek yogurt dip. "Dip crunchy celery, apples or graham crackers into it f...
1. Pizza
We love pizza and it can be a healthy choice for any other time of the day—just not at bedtime. "The acidic sauce and high-fat cheese that pizza is made of may cause you to wake up with a stomachache," says Smith. "Most traditional pizza options offer significant fat and calorie amounts, which may contribute to weight gain if eaten in excess at snack time." Fat is digested slowly, so high-fat foods can lead to acid reflux, which is exacerbated if you lie down shortly after eating. Traditional...
2. High-Sugar Cereals
If you know, you know. There's definitely a nighttime cereal eaters club—because what's not to love about cereal? And while a low-sugar cereal may be a healthy bedtime snack option, cereal higher in sugar might not be. "Eating cereal containing high amounts of added sugar right before bed can cause a spike in your blood sugar and increase insulin levels, causing you to wake up feeling hungry," explains Smith. "Cereal can be a suitable snack prior to bedtime, but choose high-fiber, lower-sugar...
3. Chips
Did you know that there are about the same number of calories in 3 cups of popcorn as in just 12 chips? And who eats just 12 chips? Chips are one of the worst offenders at night because they contain very few nutrients—no fiber and no protein, with some fat from the oil. They are mostly refined carbohydrates, which aren't great for you, especially at bedtime. Swap the chips for popcorn or whole-grain crackers instead.
It's OK to eat after dinner—just choose foods with fiber, protein and healthy fat instead of sugary, greasy foods. Take a look at our Healthy High-Protein Snacksfor additional late-night snack ideas. And, if you're trying to lose weight or manage diabetes, take an inventory of your late-night snacks to determine if they could be pushing you over yo...
- Connect the dots. For many people, eating in general, regardless of what time, tends to be mindless. But when you start thinking about food as fuel for activity, it can help bring the importance of quality and balance into focus.
- Break associations. If your nightly routine involves eating more than you’d like, consciously break the pattern. Just changing the order of your evening activities can help.
- Pre-plan meals. If you’re worn out after a long day, thinking about what to make for dinner can feel like a burden, or at the very least a chore. Without healthy options in place, it’s so easy to order take out, make a meal out of less than optimal snacks, or reach for comfort foods.
- Keep a journal. I know, I know, you’ve heard this a million times, but it’s one of those tried and true tools that just works. One recent study found that women who kept food diaries lost about six more pounds than those who did not.
Mar 9, 2022 · Turns out, late-night snack cravings are perfectly natural, and science has discovered why that might be the case. Curbing calorie consumption at night is important. According to Healthline, nighttime noshing can spike your blood sugar levels, contribute to weight gain, and even worsen your chances of heart disease, among other drawbacks.
Oct 4, 2022 · New study provides experimental evidence that late eating may increase hunger, obesity risk. Obesity afflicts approximately 42 percent of the U.S. adult population and contributes to the onset of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and other conditions. While popular healthy diet mantras advise against midnight snacking, few studies ...
People also ask
Why do we snack late at night?
Is late night snacking bad for You?
Why is it bad to eat late at night?
Should you eat a late night snack?
What happens if you eat a snack at night?
Aug 23, 2019 · That’s why the NIDDK advises avoiding late-night eating and waiting two or three hours to lie down after eating. Also keep in mind the size and contents of your nighttime snack or meal if you ...
