Late Night Snacks That Won't Lead to Weight Gain
By Genevieve Cunningham
There's something about late night snacking that is so satisfying. It's like satisfying a craving and getting away with something all rolled up into one. We love to sneak out of bed, grab a guilty pleasure, and browse through the latest shows. Sounds nice, right? Unfortunately, this little habit isn't the healthiest, and for many people, late night snacking can lead to weight gain. So do you have to give it up? Not necessarily, but you do have to alter it. If you want to keep your late night snacking habit but don't want the extra pounds, check out these snacks that you can eat guilt-free.
Raw Vegetables
Raw vegetables are so good. It might not sound appealing right now, but it can be a really tasty treat. Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and tomatoes all make delicious raw veggie treats. If you really need more flavor in your late night snack, add a little bit of dip -- something like ranch dressing or hummus. The key to loving this treat is to give it time. It takes your taste buds time to adjust to healthy foods, but over time, you may find that you like them even better.
Hot Tea
If you normally reach for a soda at night, it's time to stop that habit right now! Instead of soda, make yourself some hot tea. Tea -- something like peppermint or pumpkin spice or chamomile -- offers you flavor with very few calories. And as an added bonus, tea can be soothing late at night and help lull you to sleep.
Air-Popped Popcorn
Popcorn is always a favorite of late night snackers. Maybe it's because popcorn is so synonymous with a TV binge. But for many, this means reaching for the quick and easy microwave option, and these little bags of golden kernels are horribly unhealthy! If you're a popcorn fan and you don't want to give it up, invest in an air popper. These are relatively inexpensive, and they take the grease, extra butter, and other unhealthy qualities out of your favorite popcorn treat.
Late night snacking isn't the best habit, but if you're going to do it, at least do it as healthy as possible. Use these foods to replace your typical snacks, and you may be able to enjoy the nighttime binge without harming your health at all.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Glen Carbon, Ill.