You look at the clock and it’s almost midnight. You are supposed to be in bed by now. But somehow you are busy with something regardless of work or study. What’s more, you turn out to be hungry as well. Instead of heading to the kitchen, say to make a bowl of Maggi, opt for a healthy late-night snack. And here’s list of 10 Healthy Late-Night Snacks For Night Owls to keep your tummy satisfied.
1) Microwave Sweet Potato Chips
Forget about store-bought potato chips, which typically contain lots of sodium. Opt for something healthier instead if you are looking to munch on something. That being said, why not try these easy-to-make microwave sweet potato chips? Assuming you have a few sweet potatoes sitting somewhere in your kitchen pantry, it’s time to make good use of these antioxidant-rich tubers.
Simply slice 1 sweet potato thinly using a mandoline. Then, place in a bowl and add 1-2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt (you can also use sea salt or Pink Himalayan variety) and toss to coat. Once done, place your thinly-sliced sweet potatoes in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined tray and microwave them for around 4-5 minutes, or at least until they become dry, crisp and a bit browned. And there you have it, a quick and munch-worthy healthy snack in no time.
2) Popcorn
No, we don’t mean the usual box of popcorn that you usually get from the cinemas. Lay off the caramel-coated varieties and try this instead. All you need are three simple ingredients to get you started. This includes popcorn kernels, oil and salt. Grab a pot, preferably with a heavy bottom since you need it to distribute the heat evenly upon making the popcorn.
According to Cookie + Kate, it’s best to “start with two popcorn kernels to gauge the temperature”. If they pop after adding 2 tablespoons of oil (use a healthier option like extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil or avocado oil), that means you are good to go. But before you pour the rest of the kernels (totalling at 1/2 cup), make sure you turn off the stove first and remove the pot from the heat. Cover the pot and shake it a little to ensure the kernels are spreading evenly. Place the pot back onto the stove and continue cooking the popcorn at medium heat. Once done, season the popcorn with some salt.
3) Apple & Nut Butter
Got an apple in the fridge? Slice it and spread the apple with 1 or 2 tablespoons of nut butter of your choice. It can be anything from your usual peanut variety, almond or cashew butter. Not only the combination of apple and nut butter makes this simple late-night snack a satisfying one but also packed with nutritious benefits, namely fiber and protein.
4) Cheese & Crackers
Here’s another simple bite-worthy combination for your late-night craving. Just grab some plain crackers, preferably the whole-grain varieties and pair them with a few slices of cheese.
5) Avocado Toast
Good news for anyone who enjoys avocados. These dark green, oval-shaped fruits contain plenty of nutrition ranging from magnesium to potassium and of course, healthy fats. Simply spread a quarter of an avocado on a slice of toast or two (use whole-grain bread if possible). To make it more savoury, try sprinkling your avocado toast with some finely grated parmesan on top.
6) Yogurt & Fruit
Craving for something creamy? No, we’re not talking about ice cream but rather a bowl of yoghurt. Aim for the low-fat or Greek variety and definitely not the flavoured ones since they are typically higher in sugars and carbs. Of course, if eating plain yoghurt sounds unappetising, you can sweeten it with a drizzle of honey. Or better yet, make it tastier by adding some chopped fruits such as berries and even nuts.
7) Pistachios
Love munching on nuts? Then, pistachios would make a healthy late-night snack. Besides, they come loaded with all the nutritious benefits ranging from protein and vitamin B6 to fiber, protein and magnesium. Not to mention pistachios happen to have the highest melatonin content in the nut category, which in turn, helps to promote a good night’s sleep.
8) Oatmeal
Think that oatmeal is strictly reserved for breakfast? As it turns out, oatmeal happens to be beneficial even if you have them as a late-night snack. The reason? Complex carbs, which helps to ease down slowly in your system while controlling blood sugar spikes. If that’s not enough, oatmeal is warm and soothing too. To avoid your oatmeal from tasting bland, try flavouring them with the likes of honey and chopped fruits (e.g. berries, bananas).
9) Goji Berries
According to Eat This, Not That!, goji berries a.k.a. wolfberries happen to pack the “highest concentration of melatonin for any dried fruit”. Each of these red-orange berries is packed with nutritious values such as vitamin A and C as well as being high in antioxidants and low in calories. They are good for improving your memory, vision and even insomnia. You can snack them raw or pair the goji berries, say in a herbal tea.
10) Turkey Sandwich
If you are making a sandwich for your late-night snack, go for turkey since it contains tryptophan — perfect for increasing the melatonin levels in your body. Simply layer one or two sliced turkeys sandwiched between the whole-grain bread with other ingredients, say lettuce and sliced tomato. You can add mayo too but don’t go overboard with it.
