Guilt-Free Late-Night Snacks

You’ve brushed your teeth, put on your pajamas and are now snuggled in to watch your favorite late-night show—and then it happens. All of a sudden you experience an intense craving for a snack.

It’s perfectly normal to get late-night snack cravings. What matters is the foods you eat to soothe those hunger pangs. That’s why we’ve put together the top no-cook late-night snacks that are wholesome, satisfying and require little to no prep.

Why Do You Get Late-Night Cravings?

Many people judge themselves for having cravings, but it’s nothing to feel bad about. Cravings actually stem from a web of complicated, physiological processes and lifestyle habits.

For example, when you eat sweet, salty or rich foods, your brain rewards you by stimulating neurons in the reward region. Neurotransmitters like dopamine are released, making you feel pleasure when you munch down on things like potato chips or cookies. This internal process can lead you to have cravings more often.

Another reason you get late-night cravings is the time gap between your last meal and bedtime. If you haven’t eaten for several hours, your hunger hormone ghrelin is released and has you reaching for instant gratification.

Other things like hormonal changes, medications, stress levels, and how much you exercise and sleep can all influence your late-night cravings. Even food advertisements can stimulate your hunger.

What Does My Body Want?

Knowing where your cravings stem from will help you address any issues and eat more wholesome foods. If you’re experiencing late-night cravings often, take a look at why. Have you been under high amounts of stress lately? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating enough at meal times?

Then examine what foods you reach for when you want a late-night snack. If they’re high in fat and sugar, you may be stuck in a hormonal cycle that’s regularly sparking cravings. According to the experts at Harvard, fat and sugar are both “hyperpalatable foods”, meaning the body and brain love them and get a dopamine hit every time you eat them. This means that even if you’re full, you can consume more fat and sugar if you’re looking for comfort and stress reduction. So that’s why you can always fit in dessert!

Protein

Protein is essential for your body to function properly. It helps you build muscle, inspires your hair and nails to grow, and supports your digestive system and hormonal cycles, among many other things.

Ensure you’re getting enough protein in your diet each day. Use this handy calculator by the USDA to determine how much protein your body needs. You can even use your late-night snack cravings to increase your protein intake.

Salt

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend adults consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. You could also be dehydrated or stressed out. Know that it’s okay to crave salt and there are ways to address those cravings.

What Should I Eat Late at Night?

Whatever types of food you’re craving, it’s important to focus on nutritionally balanced foods. Ideally, you should reach for foods that have protein or fiber. And when satisfying sugar and salt cravings, be careful to avoid late-night snacks with added sugars or saturated fats.

9 Guilt-Free Late-Night Snack Options

1. Lorissa’s Kitchen’s Original Beef Sticks

Snacking guilt-free is easy with Lorissa’s Original Beef Sticks, made from 100% grass-fed beef. Each serving has 6 grams of protein and is gluten free.

2. Berries & Fruits

If your sweet tooth kicks in, reach for some berries or fresh fruit. From tart raspberries to tropical pineapple, choose from countless varieties to satisfy your appetite.

3. Edamame

One cup of edamame has 13.2 grams of protein and is high in minerals like potassium and calcium. It only takes five minutes to cook in boiling water, where you can then pop open the shells and eat the delicious soybeans inside.

4. Pistachios

When you’re craving protein, pistachios are a yummy late-night snack. A single ounce has 5.73 grams of protein. If you also need to satisfy your salt cravings, try them roasted and salted.

5. Plain Yogurt

Yogurt is a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Opt for your favorite style of plain yogurt, such as whole milk, nonfat or greek. If your taste buds need some flavor, naturally sweeten the yogurt with fresh or frozen berries.

6. Eggs

Boil some eggs and keep them in the fridge for an easy late-night snack. Eggs have 3.64 grams of protein and are very satiating. Sprinkle it with a little salt or hot sauce for flavor.

7. Popcorn

If you’re craving carbs and want a gluten free option, try popping some popcorn! Season it lightly to keep your sodium intake low.

8. Cheese

From mozzarella string cheese to pepper jack slices, eating cheese late at night is a way to snack guilt-free. Cheese is high in calcium and a good source of protein, which will help curb your cravings.

9. Peanut Butter Toast

What’s more satisfying (besides our beef strips) than spreading peanut butter on freshly toasted bread? Peanut butter is high in protein and very filling. Try it with sliced bananas for a perfect blend of sweet and salty.

Snack Worry-Free With Lorissa’s Protein Meat Strips, Cuts & Sticks

It’s best to eat wholesome foods that you can feel good about. When you need to soothe late-night hunger pains, try one of our delicious meat snacks. Get your favorite protein beef and chicken snacks by shopping our products today.