Weight loss is often achieved through a combination of a balanced diet and regular exercise. Snacking can play a significant role in this process. Late-night snacks, when chosen wisely, can support weight loss by curbing cravings and preventing overindulgence the next day. However, it’s crucial to avoid sugary or highly processed snacks, as they can lead to weight gain when consumed late at night.
In order to make the best choices when it comes to late-night snacks, we spoke with Jesse Feder, RDN, CPT, to give us his expert insights. Feder revealed that air-popped popcorn, Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese are the best snack options to go for when it comes to weight loss and snacking late into the night.
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Late Night Snacks
Air-popped popcorn, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt are excellent choices for late-night snacks when aiming for weight loss. These snacks are low in added sugars and can help maintain a stable blood sugar level while keeping calorie intake in check, making them ideal choices for a healthy late-night snack to support your weight loss goals.
Feder goes into detail about the benefits of these three snacks which can make a significant difference when it comes to losing weight gradually.
"Air-popped popcorn is generally low in calories and high in dietary fiber. This is great for keeping your caloric intake low for a snack and for satisfying your hunger. This can be great for weight loss when compared to higher calorie snacks that often do not contain much fiber," he states.
As for the nutritious Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, he explains that "both are high in protein and healthy probiotics, as well as low in calories. The high amounts of protein is great for satisfying late night hunger and preventing you from wanting to eat more. Additionally, the probiotics are great for promoting gut health and healthy digestion. Lastly, it is a healthy low calorie snack that is great for weight loss."
The Bottom Line
There are various strategies for integrating these snacks into a well-rounded diet without causing weight gain, allowing you to optimize their advantages. Feder suggests managing our portion sizes and incorporating nutritious toppings to enhance our overall nutritional intake.
"When it comes to air-popped popcorn, I highly recommend buying the single serving bags in order to control your portion size and really maximize the benefits of having it as a snack. For Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, I recommend adding in some berries to add extra fiber and nutrients. This can help really increase satiety and aid in weight loss," he suggests.
