Nighttime Snacking
Work is done. Dinner is over. If you have kids they’re (hopefully) in bed.
Now you have time to do whatever you please (or need) to do before you call it a night, which for many of us includes some form of TV time and….. SNACKS.
There’s something about nighttime and snacking that go hand-in-hand as a way to unwind and decompress after a long day, but it can easily get out of hand when we mindlessly eat from dinner until bed, not realizing until we feel too full and have a poor night sleep.
And that’s not to say that you can’t or “shouldn’t” snack at night or enjoy dessert after dinner, but there are some healthy swaps and trusty tips that can make your night snacking healthier, your sleep better and and the morning after ultimately brighter.
I’m probably going to repeat this often, but snacking at night is OK… it’s just being mindful about WHAT you’re consuming, WHY you’re snacking, and HOW you’re eating.
Let’s start with the FOOD:
When it comes to WHAT to eat at night, there are some really awesome options to help satisfy whatever you’re craving while also leaving you feeling good. If you want to healthfully munch as you unwind from your day, below are some more nutritious swaps to let you have it all:
> Salty + Crunchy:
Lesser Evil Popcorn: popcorn is an amazing snack because it’s simple ingredients and full of fiber. You can also eat a satisfying amount without without worry about overdoing it. Aim for a popcorn made with clean oil, like the one linked, which is made with coconut oil. Olive oil and avocado oil are also great!
Siete Grain Free Potato Chips: These are high quality chips that are made from clean ingredients and are seriously delicious. You don’t even notice a difference from your traditional chips, except the good feeling you experience after.
Hippeas (vegan) and Annie’s Organic Cheese Puffs- I’ll preface this with saying they are addictive, but they are delicious and definitely healthier than their counterparts. The oils and other ingredients are cleaner, and the Annie’s option is made with organic dairy.
> Sweet:
Simple Mills Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies: I’m a big cookie person, and I’m obsessed with these Simple Mills cookies. They’re made with almond flour and super simple ingredients, not only making this a healthier alternative but a good for you treat.
Purely Elizabeth Vanilla Chocolate Chip Granola: not a typical dessert, but this granola is delicious and satisfying and healthy. Pour some in a bowl and munch away.
Kid GoMacro Bar: These are really tasty and weirdly satisfying. They’re mini and simple ingredients, and while I don’t consume my mind with the calories I’m eating, they’re only 100 a pop, so even enjoying 2 won’t hurt ;).
> Ice Cream:
When it comes to ice cream, I’m all about the real deal, with a focus on organic, and Alden’s hits all the marks. I like the ingredients and my boys like the taste- a win-win. This is my favorite ice cream and these our our favorite bars.
I also like to have a dairy-free option on hand, allowing you to go without the dairy but not without the dessert. This is my favorite non-dairy option and I prefer cashew milk ice cream. but almond milk and coconut milk are also great.
> Candy:
Smart Sweets is my favorite healthier alternative to gummy candies, and they have some delicious flavors, like these Peach Rings. It may still be candy, but at least it’s less processed ;).
> Chocolate:
I feel like it goes without saying, but dark chocolate is going to be the healthier option on a more day-to-day basis and there are some delicious options that you should definitely try.
For dark chocolate bars: Endangered Species Chocolate is my go to.
For healthier peanut butter cups: Justin’s mini dark chocolate cups
For dark chocolate chips: Enjoy Life brand makes the best chocolate chips, chunks and everything in between.
Now that you have some healthy swaps, let’s talk about how to avoid the mindless munching…
Portion out your snacks so that you avoid eating directly from the bag or box. This helps because you visually can see what you are eating and as well as the amount of food you have (and that it’s not endless) so that you enjoy it while it lasts. Additionally, if the mindless munching does happen, at least you’ve set yourself up with a healthy serving.
Have some hot water with lemon or an herbal tea as a nightcap and to help satisfy the need to “snack” and to help you unwind and settle down for the night.
Don’t underestimate the power of sleep and sleeping things off. The later we stay up, the more time we have to mindlessly munch, so if it’s getting late, start to do your evening routine and settle in for bed. Getting a good night’s sleep not only helps to rest your body, but it gives your mind time to quiet and ease.
Lastly, as I’ve already said, there’s nothing wrong with having dessert or a nighttime snack, but if you find that you often mindlessly eat and therefore end up eating to a point of not feeling good… or if you just can’t seem to STOP the snacking… then it’s important to pause and look at WHY it’s happening.
Are you tired? Are you bored? Are you stressed from a long day? Are you overwhelmed by what you still need to do before bed? Are you anxious or sad? What’s going on behind the scenes that is leading to the mindless snacking or emotional eating.
Once you can pinpoint the why, then can you start to make a shift? For example, if you’re stressed from the day, try taking a long, hot shower to help you unwind. If you’re bored or feeling bleh, try snuggling up and reading a book or listen to a podcast while you clean up and get ready for the next day. Do something you enjoy that is non food related, but helps to replace the joy or distraction that was once filled by food.
How do you handle nighttime snacking? Any fun suggestions that work for you? Share in the comments!
