You’ve probably heard the old adage, if you’re trying to lose weight and be healthy, don’t eat after dinner! Fortunately, that just isn’t true. That doesn’t mean you can down a pint of ice cream every night and still lose weight and be healthy, but some well planned, intentional snacks that are counted into your daily tally can have a place in your life. A good two hundred calorie snack before bed might even help you sleep. Let’s look at some snacks that you can add to your after dinner plans that won’t break the calorie bank.
Fruit
Fruit, especially cherries, are a great choice for an after dinner snack. Not only is fruit sweet and delicious, but it’s also loaded with fiber and vitamins. There is even scientific evidence to prove that cherries or cherry juice can help you sleep better. And for an extra special treat, try frozen fruit. Grapes and pineapple are a good option for frozen fruit.
Nuts
Nuts sometimes get a bad rap for the amount of fat that they have. However, many nuts have a good kind of fat that can lower cholesterol. Moreover, they are packed with fiber and vitamins. A small serving of about one ounce or so will contain less than two hundred calories. And if you want some extra help sleeping, try pistachios. They have melatonin in them, which has been proven to aid in sleep. So go nuts!
Yogurt
Yogurt and especially Greek yogurt is an excellent after dinner snack. Yogurt contains calcium, which will not only keep your bones strong but can also help you sleep better. Greek yogurt is also known to contain casein protein comes with an extra bonus. Casein has been shown to reduce morning hunger cravings. And if you top your yogurt with some nutritious fruit, you’ll get the best of both worlds.
Popcorn
Air popped popcorn is a great whole grain snack that will fill you up and send you off into dreamland in no time. However, be sure to avoid the microwave kind. It is full of oils and fats as well as chemicals. Instead, pop it yourself with an air popper. Popcorn made this way is both nutritious and delicious.
So there you have it! A list of the best foods to snack on before bed. All you have to do is chose one and cozy up in front of your favorite show. Happy snacking!
