Late-night hunger pangs? Expert shares five healthiest foods to eat
Hunger can knock at one's door at any moment, especially when one stays up late at night doing work or binge-watching movies. And as it demands immediate attention, most of us unknowingly gorge on foods that are unhealthy to consume before hitting the sack. Aakash Bansal, founder, certified dietician, and fitness coach at FormFit, shares five healthy options for those late-night munchings.
Foxnuts or phool makhana
"Foxnuts are wholesome to relish as they are low on calories, high on fiber, and rich in proteins, keeping you full on a healthy note," says Bansal. The nutritionist suggests you can roast them in one spoon ghee and sprinkle some salt or your favorite masala on it for some flavor. Else, you can buy a pack of roasted foxnuts from the market.
Roasted channa
Stocking on those oil-rich, preservative-loaded potato chips to calm your late-night cravings? Say no more. "Roasted chana is a crunchy, nutrient-dense snack that's high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which makes them a healthier alternative to salty snacks like potato chips," enlightens Bansal. They are both simple to make at home and easily available in the markets as well.
Seedsmix
"Seeds are loaded with nutrients that help reduce inflammation, bloating, and stress. This will help improve digestion and most importantly sleep," states the expert. You can choose your favorite seeds like flax seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, etc. to munch on. "Pumpkin seeds have relatively high amounts of magnesium, which is known to provide better sleep," he adds.
Nuts or dry fruits
"Nuts tend to soothe hunger pangs almost instantly. Dry fruits are a rich source of protein, vitamins, and other essential nutrients," reveals the FormFit founder. You can keep a box full of assorted nuts like almonds, cashews, etc. However, make sure you only eat a handful of them, as they are high in calories which can backfire in several ways.
Peanut butter sandwich
If you need something more filling than the above options, a peanut butter sandwich is the perfect pairing for a pre-sleep snack and is nutritious too. "Peanut butter contains tryptophan that gets converted in the brain into melatonin to promote sleepiness. And carbohydrates like bread are needed alongside to make tryptophan more available to the brain," concludes Bansal.
