The ideal time to have dinner is before 7 pm, say nutritionists. You have finally decided to give it a go and have a light meal at the designated hour. But try as you might sleep eludes you as you toss and turn around because of hunger pangs . You finally succumb to it and grab a bite late in the night . Midnight munching, as it is called, is a common phenomenon that college students and those with late night work hours can relate to . The problem is that the easily available snacks at that hour are often the most unhealthy like instant noodles and chips , aerated drinks and more , which not only affect the digestive system '', "Sticking to a 7 pm dinner time with long hours of fasting, until you break it in the morning , takes some time getting used to . So, the focus should be on the healthier options to snack on ,until you can finally say no to midnight munching, Here , experts tell you just what needs to go on your plate if you are peckish at night .
- Bowl of mixed dry fruits - Dry fruits work as any other kind of snack and are also good for building one's metabolism, while helping in curbing one's appetite. A mix of almonds , cashews , raisins, walnuts and figs can be the basic constituents of the bowl.
- Bananas- Bananas are a quick, lighter option for a midnight snack ,which apart from beating hunger also helps in another body function -- digestion . The fibre contain of the plantain speeds up the process of digestion of your body , even helping you clean your bowels .
- Home made chocolate - In your free time make and store chocolate at home .Up the cocoa content and cut down on sugar for a healthier version . You could also use jaggery as a substitute for sugar while making the chocolate .
- Oatmeal -If you are terribly hungry ,oatmeal soaked in milk is the heaviest option you have for a midnight snack , Depending on how hungry you are , decide the quantity of oatmeal , soak it in milk and add some fruits as a substitute to sugar.
- Fruit popsickle : Can be a healthy midnight snack , while making these avoid using sugar or sweetners to ensure they are healthy ., although fruits are to be eaten during the day , having natural popsicles during the night is a better alternative than a processed one that is loaded with sugar, artificial fruit flavours and preservatives.
