Some medical and fitness experts suggest yogurt is the perfect snack to ward off bedtime hunger.
Low-calorie plain and non-fat yogurts are full of beneficial nutrients, while frozen yogurts contain added sugar and artificial flavoring – and may not even contain the probiotic culture you ideally want from a yogurt.
Unfortunately, frozen yogurts are not good to consume before bed – BOO!! But, here’s how to make regular yogurt a more satisfying and delicious bedtime snack:
- Yogurt with whole wheat toast
- Whole grain crackers sprinkled on your yogurt
- Bowl of oatmeal mixed with yogurt
- Flaxseeds mixed with a bowl of yogurt
Yogurt also makes a great bedtime snack because it offers these 5 benefits:
Yogurt contains tryptophan – the amino acid that produces the sleep-inducing and relaxing chemicals called serotonin and melatonin.
Yogurt reduces gastrointestinal symptoms – because it’s easy to digest and nutritious, making it a good bedtime snack.
Eating yogurt before bed is healthy. As a relatively low-calorie food it will satisfy your late-night cravings and help maintain your weight.
Yogurt is a good alternative for lactose-intolerant people. The lactic acid bacteria in yogurt converts lactose to lactic acid, which reduces the amount of lactose in yogurt.
Yogurt can help prevent muscle loss during sleep. It has good quality proteins with all the required amino acids. An eight-ounce serving of yogurt contains 11 grams of proteins.
Although eating yogurt before bed can be beneficial – be wary of your portions!