Having Mid-Night Cravings? Try These Tricks

Understanding why you crave junk food at night is basically the first step towards breaking the cycle of midnight snacking and retaining control over your evening health goals. 

If you find yourself looking eagerly to grab a packet of chips or bite a piece of favourite chocolate, remember it can be caused by several factors, not one.

Why Are You Craving Junk Food At Night?

When you feel tired, your body's “hunger-hormone” known as “ghrelin” spikes, while your “fullness hormone” known as “leptin” drops. This results in the brain to scream for quick energy, usually in the form of sugar and fats.

Experts suggest that at night, our prefrontal cortex, the “decision maker” , leaves our brain’s reward system in charge. That's the reason why a bite of cookie suddenly feels like the ultimate “hit” of comfort.

Sometimes, our body confuses thirst with hunger. That urge of “midnight snack” might just be a sign required to quench your thirst. So, you need to understand your body’s signs to know better.

5 Ways To Stop The Midnight Munchies

There are few scientifically-proven methods by which you can minimize your late-night cravings:

Eating Protein For Dinner

The first thing that you should do is to eat a healthy meal at dinner that keeps you full and doesn't interrupt your sleep. High-protein meals keep you feeling full for a longer period of time and helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels, preventing that “10PM” crash. 

Brush Early

Brushing your teeth right after you finish your dinner sends a psychological signal that the “kitchen is closed for the day.” This way you don't have to worry about the tantrums done by the brain on you.

Drinking Herbal Tea

Try drinking a warm cup of tea, like a cup of chamomile tea, helping in occupying your hands and mouth while being hydrated and soothing. 

Prioritizing Sleep

Also, try to prioritise your sleep, by having a good sleep of at least 8 hours; it helps in regulating hormones that drive cravings in the first place. If you eat a complete meal and get a good sleep, then you will feel no interference in between.

Keeping Junk “Out Of Sight”

If you have junk food already at your home, then try to keep it out of sight. If you cannot find a packet of chips at your pantry, then you can't eat them. The process of “out of sight, out of mind” rule truly works.

Also Read: Is Your Snack Timing Ruining Your Metabolism?

Healthier Late Night Alternatives

If you are feeling truly hungry, you can think of swapping the junk for these smart snacks. Like, you can try with greek yoghurt with berries, it is high in protein and it is just enough for providing maximum sweetness. 

Other options such as air-popped popcorn or hard-boiled eggs or eating an apple with peanut butter are also some of the better options, as they all provide a balance of healthy fats and fiber. Ingredients like peanut butter contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps your body produce serotonin and melatonin, the hormones responsible for better quality of sleep.