We’ve all done it. After a late night at the library or a girls night in, we tend to give in to those late night cravings. Whether it’s indulging in Ben and Jerry’s or that 1 AM slice of cold pizza, the midnight munchies can do some serious damage.
Gloria Dollinger, nutritionist at the Provena Saint Joseph Inwood Athletic Club in Joliet, IL weighs in on the effects of late night snacking a busy college girl might not even consider. Snacking on junk food at any time of day is not recommended, because snacks should be considered a healthy mini-meal between regular eating hours. Unfortunately, the snacks most college students reach for in the middle of the night are typically high in fat and high in sugar. To change things up, try munching on veggies and low-fat dip while watching a late night movie with your girlfriends. Snacks that are high in fiber and low in fat are always a safe bet. This is because they also have a little protein to make you feel full before you go to bed. For example, Gloria suggests a high fiber cereal with low fat milk when you feel hungry in the middle of the night.
Portions are also a major issue to consider when snacking late at night. When you indulge in the midnight munchies, you are giving your body extra calories and no time to burn them off before bed. Always consider this factor when deciding how much popcorn to have after coming home from the library at three in the morning. Also, make sure to check the serving size of snack foods so you know how many calories you are actually consuming.
According to Dollinger, “Snacks should be a nutritious part of a healthy diet, but poor snack choices can often upset a balanced diet.” Sometimes the snacks that seem more appealing to us after midnight, like a bowl of ice cream or some candy, are the worst for us because they consist of pure sugar. You may be better off eating something that seems more like a small meal, like a sandwich or a bowl of bran cereal. Also, be aware that the things that are easiest for us college students to come by late night (read: french fries and bags of chips) can have little to no nutritional value.
Any college girl will agree that late night snacking will happen no matter what. However, these tips can help you avoid unhealthy habits. If you think before the midnight munchies hit, you will stay healthy, happy, and have no regrets in the morning (at least when it comes to food).