It’s late at night, and your stomach is giving you hunger pangs. Maybe you ate dinner early or you had a busy evening and just returned home hungry. Now, you are looking for some snacks that can satiate your hunger. But, you also know the harmful effects of consuming high-calorie before bedtime. In such scenarios, you may want to munch on some easy-to-make and healthy snacks.

Here, we are with a list of 7 healthy late-night snacks that are not only satiating but help you to sleep peacefully. Let’s start.

Oatmeal-

Oatmeal is not only for the mornings! A warm, soothing bowl of oatmeal makes one of the healthiest mid-night snacks for all those people who love going to bed with a fuller belly. This high-fiber food imparts you a feeling of being full without consuming high calories before bedtime. Studies revealed that eating oatmeal before bed not only satiate your hunger but elevate the levels of Serotonin which makes you feel more relaxed, and helps you to catch some zzz’s. Also, preparing a bowl of oatmeal using a microwave takes less than 5 minutes. You can add a handful of nuts, drizzle some honey or sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon to kick up the taste.

Hard-Boiled Egg and Apple-

This late-night snack combo is easy to make and even easier to eat. Eggs form an excellent source of protein and apples are loaded with essential nutrients that improve your overall health. The high-fiber content of eggs make you feel full and apple keeps you hydrated. When the midnighthunger pangs pay you a visit, grab a boiled egg and pair it with an apple for a healthy snacking experience.

Tart Cherries-

Dried tart cherries are one of the best late-night snacks. They are rich in melatonin, which is also known as the “sleep hormone”. These low-calorie munchies not only satiate your midnight cravings but help you get a good night sleep too. You must keep a check on the portion and restrict it to a quarter cup serving to avoid a calorie overload.

Popcorn-

Popcorn makes a guilt-free snack when your midnight cravings demand something healthy and salty. These puffed up kernels are rich in complex carbohydrates and contain serotonin (a chemical that elevates your mood and helps you relax). It is a great snack to munch on while watching a late-night movie with friends. Another good thing about this snack is that you can have a lot of it as three cups of popped grains contain 100 calories if they’re not doused in butter. Besides, their high fiber content curbs your hunger and ward off late-night food cravings.

Greek Yogurt and Fruits-

Greek yogurt is a rich source of calcium and is believed to possess sleep-inducing properties. This high-protein food resembles the texture of an ice-cream and makes a healthier alternative for all those people who are born with a sweet tooth. They can add some of their favorite fruits in yogurt and enjoy a healthy delight. Besides, the frozen yogurt and fruit bites make a guilt-free and easy-to-make snack for ice-cream lovers. To prepare it, mix one part of yogurt with one part of your favourite fruit and blend them together to the desired consistency. Now, pour this smoothie into the ice tray and freeze. Once frozen, pop them out of the tray and enjoy a cool and healthy snack.

Fruits and Nuts-

Neither fruits, nor nuts require cooking and makes an ideal mid-night snack when you are tired and hungry at the same time. Both fruits and nuts are a rich source of minerals, vitamins, proteins, antioxidants and other essential nutrients that benefits your health in many ways. A bowl of nuts and fruits make you feel full and even allows you to wake up fresh, the next morning.

Fresh Veggies and Peanut Butter-

If you always crave for a crunchy yet healthy snack at late hours, eating fresh veggies with peanut butter makes the best option for you. A quick combination of your favorite veggies such as carrots, cucumbers, broccoli florets, jalapenos, celery and satiating peanut butter makes a healthy snack to quell the midnight rumbling in your stomach.

So, whatever kind of snack you crave at midnight-crunchy, juicy, soft, sweet or salty, there is always a healthy alternative. Choose wisely, be healthy!