Eating at night, if done healthily, can sometimes offer health benefits.
For instance, eating the right protein at night can help you build muscle while you sleep, while settling with low-glycemic carbs post dinner can help you control blood sugar the next day and regulate your appetite. Here are five snacks that are fine to eat at night.
DARK CHOCOLATE: For dieters across the board, chocolate is seen as a forbidden food -but not every kind of chocolate is equal. There is a great nutritional difference between the packaged variety and homemade rich-dark chocolate.
The dark chocolate lacks high sugar unlike traditional chocolate and instead serves as an antioxidant that has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, fight inflammation and improve your mood. Next time you crave choco at night, have an piece of dark chocolate (70 per cent cacao or greater).
ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS: The hallmark of a good night time snack is a food that will help fulfil a nagging craving while at the same time help you unwind and get ready for bed.
Roasted pumpkin seeds meet this requirement. One serving contains almost 50 per cent of your recommended intake of magnesium. Magnesium is an essential mineral that is used in over 300 reactions in your body.One key area that magnesium addresses is relaxation.Magnesium is a relaxant and high magnesium snacks are ideal for helping you unwind at night.
The slight saltiness of roasted pumpkin seeds curbs your salty snack craving that is usually reserved for potato chips.Next time you want to snack on something while watching your favourite sitcom, reach out for a quarter cup of roasted pumpkin seeds.
COTTAGE CHEESE: Only if you are hungry as a horse, and not satiating a craving, settle for cottage cheese at night. Know that this creamy textured dairy product is not always easy and light on the tummy.
But cottage cheese is a great source of protein casein. Casein is the slower-digesting milk protein, which boosts recovery while you sleep when taken later at night. Ideally avoid clubbing it with roti or bread at night, as it will take you more time to digest.
STRAWBERRY BANANA ICE CREAM: Studies recommend ice cream as a great late-night treat, but with a half cup packing (almost 200 calories), this treat becomes off-limits soon enough.
An alternative to traditional ice cream is to make it with frozen bananas. Mashed frozen bananas provide an ice cream-like consistency without the added sugars, fat and calories. Add strawberries for flavour and a shot of vitamin C.
FROZEN BLUEBERRIES : The cold sweetness of frozen blueberries is very refreshing at the end of the day. Frozen blueberries are packed with just as many highpowered antioxidants as their fresh counterparts, because they are frozen when they are completely ripe.
Blueberries (available at Pali Market in Bandra and Crawford Market) are one of the best foods that you can eat for your health. Research shows that the nutrients in blueberries can help improve brain function and heart health. If your diet can afford extra calories, add cream for extra flavour.