Biruk Baye

@birukbaye · 10 Dec 2021

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Healthy midnight snacks

There are plenty of seemingly healthy foods that are high in sugar or low in nutrition. Here are five nutritious snacks that will help you avoid the refined carbs and sugar often found in quick-fix choices.

Snacks don't come any healthier than these! When you're craving something to munch on, try one of these. They'll leave you feeling full without making you stuff your face with empty calories, plus they'll give your body the nutrients it needs to operate at top efficiency.

Beans and chickpeas are great sources of fiber, protein and are low in fat. They're also a great diuretic so they flush the toxins out. And they taste great, too. Just toss them in a salad or soup or try making hummus.

Chia seeds have become very popular as a superfood because of their powerful antioxidant qualities. They contain omega-3 fats (which are good for your heart), protein and are full of fiber and nutrients to keep us healthy on the inside and out. Sprinkle some on yogurt or add to a smoothie; even your dog will love them sprinkled on his food!

Spinach tastes great with lemon juice, vinegar, and garlic. If you're tired of the same old salad, try this as a change of pace. You could also add some chickpeas and maybe throw in some chia seeds for extra health benefits.

Cottage cheese is very low in calories but it's full of protein so it's filling and will keep you feeling full longer than a lot of other snacks. It tastes great, too! Just cut back on portions. If you eat too much it can make you feel heavy and bloated.

Almonds are heart healthy-just one serving of almonds contains the same amount of monounsaturated fat (the good kind), as a steak! They're also full of fiber and protein, so they'll keep you full and satisfied for a long time. Just don't go too crazy snacking on them because they're also high in calories.

Seeds make a great snack when you need something crunchy to munch on. Try sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chia seeds with yogurt or cottage cheese to add some protein to your diet. And try not to eat too many because they are high in calories.

While it's okay to have a square of dark chocolate now and then (or even three, or six) the key is moderation. It's important to remember that the positives of eating chocolate are offset by its negatives.

Chocolate can cause obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, increase blood pressure and lower your immune system. These are negative effects, so try to avoid them as much as possible! If you're into chocolate watch how much you eat about your weight, activity level, and overall health.

Okay, so you can have a little bit of chocolate, but the more the merrier, so follow these suggestions to have the healthiest chocolate experience possible.

Try dark chocolate with 70 percent or more cocoa. It's less processed than milk chocolate so it won't have all of those hidden fats, sugars, and calories. Avoid milk-based sweets too! They're full of a lot of artificial ingredients that are not healthy for you to consume.

If you do want something that doesn't contain milk or dairy products choose unsweetened (or at least sweetened minimally).