Bedtime Munchies: Snack or Skip?

New Year Resolutions are on the table, and so is a commitment to being healthy in 2015. One question our trainers are asked year after year has to do with staying on track- even when hunger hits in the middle of the night.

Here’s the scoop on bedtime munchies:

Which is worse…

eating late at night and going to bed full,  or

ignoring hunger cues and going to bed hungry?

It really is as simple as listening to your body!

Eating a large amount right before bed and going to sleep on a full tummy can be uncomfortable. It can also lead to acid reflux, and can disrupt your digestive system.

On the flip side, hitting the sheets with an empty, rumbling stomach isn’t the answer either. Low blood sugar levels can lead to nighttime awakenings, and depriving yourself isn’t a healthy option.

As with most healthy habits, the goal for nighttime snacking,

aka bedtime munchies, is…

B A L A N C E.

The ideal plan is to eat a balanced meal 2-3 hours before you end your day so that your body can properly digest and prepare for sleep. But if your stomach is growling, and you are truly hungry late at night, the best thing to do is to have a small snack. Try 8 raw almonds, or ½ cup of Greek yogurt. The Protein in both of those options will satisfy your body’s needs throughout the night, and won’t do any harm to your balanced diet. Another favorite is a small portion of baby carrots, or half of an apple, which also helps PM sweet cravings.  

So the next time you reach for the cupboards in the dark,

ask yourself if you’re really hungry, and if so, head for the healthy options instead of something you may regret in the daylight.