The 8 Best Healthy Midnight Snacks to Eat

If you have a midnight snack, try to have one that has some protein or healthy fats to fill you up and other nutrients, like vitamins and minerals. Stay away from empty calories or sugary foods that might spike blood sugar level. You want something "snacky", which could be carb focused, instead of just getting in those fats and protein. And that's totally okay, as long as they are complex carbs with fiber and nutrients. These are the 8 best foods you can eat as midnight snacks, so keep these in your pantry for when you're tossing and turning and dreaming of cheese. Or fries. Or burgers.

KIND Bars

KIND bar is a good snack to have whenever you feel hungry and you can choose almonds, sea salt and other flavors. Just stay away from chocolate as it can alert you due to caffeine content. One bar is made from 5 grams of sugar and 5 grams of protein.Read label carefully and stay away from choices made from added sugar.

Cheese Stick

Mozzarella cheese sticks are god protein snack. Each stick usually has around 8 grams of protein for about 110 calories, but you can get a low-fat version, too, for about 6 grams of protein and 70 calories.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt, and even skyr, is packed with protein and will fill you up. Many varieties are flavored, so they will satisfy your sweet tooth as well. Try to aim for ones that have around 9 grams of sugar or less, though, to keep sugar low.

Hummus and Veggies

Made from fiber and protein rich chickpeas, hummus is a healthy snack that will satisfy your appetite. Just try to stick to the recommended portion size on the label because it's easy to eat multiple servings in one sitting.

Air-Popped Popcorn

You can buy the kernels and miscrowave them in a paper bag. Just hit the popcorn button on your microwave, and it will do the work for you. If you want to dress it up, add a drizzle of avocado oil and some salt. Popcorn is a healthy choice as it is made from whole grains.

Overnight Oats

Jars of overnight oats will last in your fridge for a few days so you can whip some up for on-the-go breakfasts or have some on hand for snacking. Adding fruit like blueberries or bananas lends natural sweetness and nuts and nut butters can bump up the satiety factor by adding healthy fats and protein.

Whole Wheat English Muffin With Nut Butter

You can opt for a whole wheat English muffin instead of a huge slice of bread.You can add one tablespoon of nut butter to get some healthy fat. You can also top it with tomato sauce and cheese for a pizza bagel, which has some good protein, but if you are prone to acid reflux symptoms, skip it, as the tomatoes can be a trigger.

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a healthy snack that is loaded with protein and there's tryptophan, which helps you snooze, so it works double duty. Because cottage cheese is having a comeback moment there are lots of brands available. Good Culture, adds probiotics, for a gut health boost. Just like with yogurt, if you choose a fruit flavor, check to see how much sugar is in the product. Your best bet is to buy plain and add some fruit. Cherries and pineapple are both delicious options.

Sources:

http://www.eatingwell.com/article/292166/the-8-best-healthy-midnight-snacks-to-eat/

https://www.goodnet.org/articles/eat-these-7-foods-when-you-want-midnight-snack