We’ve all awakened in the middle of the night with those late-night cravings that just won’t go away. Should you give in? The answer, which may surprise you, is yes.
Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing sinister about snacking long after the sun goes down – as long as you have healthy snacks to munch on and limit yourself to smaller portions.
Also “avoid snacking between meals” isn’t necessarily great advice, especially for people with diabetes or if you may be prediabetic. In fact, going long periods of time, like more than three to four hours, without eating can actually work against you if your goal is to keep blood sugar stable and stave off hunger.
What’s better? Indulging in a powerful mix of just the right nutrients and flavors to balance blood sugar and stop your cravings.
The snacks on this list are about two hundred calories or less, which is good when it comes to figuring out which snacks will work for (and not against) your goal of maintaining weight while also keeping blood sugar balanced.
Here a few suggestions to help you get started:
1. A Small Bowl Of Oatmeal Topped With A Few Slices Of Banana
Cereal is a snack that is craved in the wee hours of the morning. Instead of sugary cereal in milk, try oatmeal.
The grains in oatmeal increase your insulin levels, which causes your blood sugar levels to rise naturally.
This helps you fall back to sleep easier.
2. Half An Apple With 1 Ounce Of Low-Fat Cheese Or Peanut Butter
Apples are rich in vitamin C and B6, both of which can help lower your blood pressure and reduce stress after coming home from a long, hard day at work.
Not to mention, the sweetness of the apple, mixed with the tartness of cheese will help stop your sweet and savory tooth!
3. Cheese Quesadilla
Sprinkle some shredded low-fat cheese, in between a couple of high-fiber tortillas (not flour!), then crisp both sides on a cast-iron skillet or indoor grill like a George Foreman grill.
The healthiest cheeses have just 3-5 grams of fat per ounce.
4. 10-12 Unsalted Pretzels
Not only are pretzels a great alternative to potato chips, but they also naturally increase your blood sugar and insulin levels, so you can fall asleep faster.
Add a glass of water after eating the pretzels and you’ll feel full…seriously.
5. 1 Banana With A Tablespoon Of Almond Butter
Bananas are loaded with potassium and magnesium – great for relaxing your muscles and nerves right before you go to