Midnight Cravings for Snacks - Are there ways to Curb It ?

Midnight snack craving is basically a craving for food when you wake up in the middle of the night. Midnight cravings can lead to weight gain due to binge eat on a regular basis. It is important that you accept the situation and take remedial steps to rectify it.

A majority of the foods that you consume are mostly empty calories such as cookies and sugar based food products. If not controlled these cravings may lead to tremendous weight gain. 

Here are few tips to control your midnight snack craving -

1. Have proper Dinner:  It is very important that you eat a well-balanced dinner that consists of carbohydrates, protein and fats. In absence of proper dinner, chances of unwanted eating and subsequent binge eating go up drastically.
    
2. Include Fiber: Add fiber to your diet as fiber helps you in feeling full. Eat fiber rich foods such as beans, lentils and broccoli which promote a feeling of satiety.
    
3. Green Tea: Drink a cup of green tea after eating as it will help you sleep better. It’s also protects Heart Health.
    
4. Stay Hydrated: Make sure that you are properly hydrated as it will prevent food cravings. Dehydration may also lead to other health complication such as skin problems.
    
5. Consume Yoghurt: Consume portions of yoghurt as it contains pro-biotic bacteria that help in keeping your digestive system healthy. It also promotes a feeling of satiety as it contains protein.
    
6. Plan an Activity: Don't immediately go to bed after dinner, instead go for a walk. Make it a routine to have your dinner at least 2 hrs before you go to bed.
    
7. Eat Healthy: Replacing un-healthy food with healthy food like salads and fruits keep one away from cravings. Habitually eating low calories vegetables like cucumber, carrot, rigid guard, bottle guard & all green vegetables and low calories fruits like apple, oranges, papaya, pears, guava etc.
    
8. Protein:  Including protein foods (milk & milk products, pulses and legumes, Soybean & Soya products, eggs, chicken and fish) in diet is crucial in muscle building. It makes you feel fuller resulting less unhealthy intakes.
    
9. Exercise: Regular Exercise increases the secretion of endorphins in the body boosting the metabolism and resulting happiness, better sleep and reducing consumption of unhealthy foods due to craving.