Does this sound like you? You do a pretty good job staying on track with your healthy eating all day, but when evening rolls around, it’s another story? Almost like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – health food addict –> junk food junky.
I find evenings are difficult for me. When I eat in the evenings, it is because I am stressed or it is simply out of habit. Sometimes though, I probably need more calories.
Generally, eating early in the day is ideal. However, if you need an evening snack, give a couple of these a try.
- Popcorn – Rather than munching on chips that are high in fat, try popcorn sprinkled with some seasonings like salt, Parmesan cheese or chili flakes instead of butter.
- Avocado – High in healthy oils, a fresh avocado or homemade guacamole with some raw vegetables will help fill you up and provide needed nutrients.
- Banana – Bananas contain potassium and magnesium so they are a natural muscle relaxant. With their high carbohydrate content, they will help satisfy those hunger pains quickly and help you sleep.
- Greek Yogurt –High in protein and low in sugar, Greek yogurt is a nice treat especially if you pair it with some fresh berries or fruit to sweeten it up slightly.
- Dark Chocolate – For you chocolate lovers, I have now become your best friend! Consuming a square or two of 70% cacao or greater contains very little sugar and is packed with antioxidants. So, it is good for you and it satisfies that troubling chocolate cravings.
- Oats – A small bowl of oatmeal or granola with skim milk or Greek Yogurt is a great late evening snack.
- Hummus – As a dip for raw veggies, hummus and veggies together help curb your craving for something crunchy.
- Nuts – Just make sure you don’t overdo. It doesn’t take long for the calories to add up. Remember the serving size for nuts is pretty small – like 14 almonds or 10 cashews.
Sources: nutritiontrend.com, fitday.com