Late night snacks don’t always get the best rep. You automatically think about forbidden cookies or a stolen cup (or pint) of ice cream.
But there are some great healthy late night snacks that you can stock that will give you the same satisfaction without the extra calories.
But while these healthy snacks exist and they can help you to lose weight, that doesn’t mean snacking the best choice if you are trying to avoid gaining weight.
Midnight snacking can quickly become a habit, and eating too much of anything, including healthy snacks, can jeopardize your results.
Here are 3 quick tips to stop late night snacking. You can also skip straight to the list below.
How To Stop Late Night Cravings
Don’t Mistake Thirst For Hunger
This is one of the biggest mistakes we make when it comes on to food.
On average, we need to drink about 6-8 glasses of water a day. However, when we don’t, we get a crave for water that feels like hunger.
If this happens after you’ve just had a meal, the best thing to do is have some water first. If you still feel hungry, you should consider going for seconds.
Have a Substantial Dinner
The main reason why we’re in need of healthy late night snacks is because we’re up late at night in the first place. We normally have 3 meals per day with 4-5 hours between meals.
This means that if you have dinner at 6 or 7 PM, then you’ll start getting hungry at around 9 or 10 PM.
One way to limit this is by eating a substantial amount of food during dinner, leaving leftovers, or preparing a midnight snack if you’re going to be up for a lot longer.
If you don’t want to eat just before going to bed, a good idea is to have some tea or water and then go to bed.
Limit The Amount of Unhealthy Snacks Available
Let’s be honest, sometimes you crave the ice cream because you know that it’s there. The same goes for the cookies and the fresh brownies that are sitting there, calling to you.
I know the feeling all too well, and the best way to avoid unhealthy snacking is to limit your options.
If your goal is to lose weight, you won’t be easily tempted. It’s easy to believe that your will is strong but hey, we’re all human and we can’t be strong-willed indefinitely.
However, if the cravings do hit, here are a few healthy and fulfilling late night snacks that won’t make you gain weight.
BONUS: 23 Healthy Snacks For Work
25 Healthy Late Night Snacks For Weight Loss
1- Roasted Almonds
Nuts are great midnight snacks for weight loss. They are filled with healthy fats and fiber, and also have a lot of other health benefits.
Even though they have a high fat content, they tend to be very filling. Eating nuts in moderation can help you to lose weight.
2- Pistachios
Pistachios are another great healthy snack option for adults. They are salty and delicious once you don’t mind the extra work of getting rid of the shells.
Other nuts that you can try for a healthy late night snack are cashews, peanuts, and pecans. Mix them with dark chocolate for an elevated snack experience.
3- Popcorn
Popcorn isn’t only for the movies. Save some for those late night cravings. Just make sure you get the healthier version with less butter.
4- Beef Jerky
This is a really filling snack option because it has a high protein content, which works wonders at keeping you full.
5- Ham and Cheese
This is another high protein snack idea that will help you to feel satisfied and lose weight. The protein and fat are great macro nutrients to help curb hunger. This snack combo is also easy to prepare.
If you want a mixture of nuts to get a wide range of benefits, then check out these nut bars. They also come in different flavours like chocolate, coconut, and cherry so that you can enjoy the different tastes and textures.
7- Granola
A handful of granola is great for boosting energy and helping you to feel full. The mixture of cereal and nuts is healthy and filled with fibre.
You can also use granola for a healthy breakfast or a snack for work.
8- Healthy Cereal
Like granola, you want a healthy cereal that is made from whole grains and natural ingredients. Use unsweetened milk to avoid adding more sugar.
We all need more than 30g of protein per day. If you didn’t get it in your previous meals, you can make up for it by snacking on a healthy protein cookie.
Protein bars and cookies are popular late night snacks but they are not all as healthy as advertised. It’s best to check the labels for yourself to ensure that they don’t have a lot of additives and sugar.
10- Cheese Balls
This is a simple, filling snack that you can enjoy with fruits, vegetables or whole grain biscuits.
I recently discovered this is super delicious and convenient snack. Try them out if you want a light snack, and keep some in your desk drawer at work.
12- Avocado Toast
This is a breakfast staple that can be suited for any occasion. Avocados are another source of healthy fat that you can eat at any time of the day.
Get some whole grain bread, avocado slices, and you’re good to go! Add an egg if you like you need more protein.
13- Greek Yogurt
This healthy snack option is also great for your gut. The best way combination is a low carb Greek yogurt with some fruits, like berries.
14- Mixed Berries
Berries are one of the best sources of antioxidants around. A handful of different-coloured berries with some Greek yogurt is one of the most nutrient-dense healthy snacks that you can have.
15- Apple Slices with nut butter
Apple slices and peanut butter is a great combination of sweet and salty. Both are delicious, high in fiber, and awesome when consumed in moderation.
Why? Peanut butter has a high fat content and apples have a high sugar content. 1 tsp peanut butter with a medium apple is a good balance that has about 200 calories.
You can’t have a snack list without chips of some sort. That’s why we’ve included these coconut chips, which are great if you’re trying to cut back on the sugar.
Coconuts are a great weight loss food, even though they have a high fat content. These coconut chips give you the best of both worlds.
If you’re not worried about the calories, give these oven-baked, sweet potato chips a try.
18- Dark Chocolate
Chocolate is one food that people will break diets for. But if your goal is weight loss, you can enjoy dark chocolate guilt-free, even after dark.
Here are some more healthy late night snacks that you can check out:
19- Cucumber Slices and Hummus
20- Cheese and Fruit
21- Chia Seed Pudding
22- Oatmeal
23- Boiled Eggs
24- Protein Shake
25- Canned Tuna or Salmon
BONUS: 25 Low Carb Snacks You Can Buy On Amazon
Best Healthy Snacks Ideas For Adults
Here are some more healthy snacks lists for adults who love snacking.