Image by _Alicja_ from Pixabay

If you’re feeling a bit hungry an hour or so before bed, we all know to stay away from sugary or overly starchy foods.

But what do you reach for?

According to nutritionists, walnuts are at the top of the list.

“The nutritional profile of a walnut is plentiful, contributing to calcium, magnesium, vitamin B, protein and heart healthy fats like plant-based omega-3s,” Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, a registered dietitian, told the Huff Post. “Because walnuts hit on so many helpful nutrients, research has found that consuming walnuts can help stave off Type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic risk factors.”

If grabbing a quick bite before you slip off to dreamland doesn’t appeal to you, there are some things you can do to help stave off the midnight cravings.

“I recommend consuming a sufficient amount of calories earlier in the day. Don’t wait until dinner to eat two-thirds of your food,” Abby Vichill, also a registered dietitian, said. “Aim to have 25-30 grams of protein at your main meals, and three to five servings of cruciferous or high-fiber vegetables at lunch and dinner.”

Here is the top 5 recommended snack foods for before bed:

  1. Walnuts
  2. Chocolate-covered nuts
  3. Bananas
  4. Greek yogurt with berries and almonds
  5. Peanut butter on a rice cake. (Caveat: It should be ‘natural’ peanut butter, not like Jif or Peter Pan.)

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