Are You a Late Night Snacker?
by Sinead Belton | 17th Nov 2022
Do you find yourself reaching for the snack drawer late in the evening? Are you still hungry after dinner? Late night snacking can really get people down, especially when trying to maintain a healthy diet. You may feel that you have lost all your progress after a couple of late night snacks, but this is not the case. Here are some tips that you can implement to your daily diet to reduce the cravings for those late night snacks!
Where do I start?
A well-balanced diet is a great place to start. Ensuring your diet consists of three well-balanced main meals each day will allow you to fuel your body with the right nutrients and reduce the late night picking that we all so often do. A well-balanced meal should contain a protein source, carbohydrates, fruit/veg and some healthy fats.
Let's talk calories
All the talk that surrounds calories can be quite confusing, as there is just so much information out there, but that’s where we come in! We have what we call our Diet Tool which is essentially a calorie calculator. It is very simple to use, just enter your basic information, choose your health goal and we do the rest. By knowing how many calories you require, you can provide your body with the energy it needs for the day ahead, leaving you feeling satiated and fuelled.
Of course, it is important to remember that we are all different, with varied dietary preferences and eating patterns, so these three main meals will look very different for each of us. Try to establish a diet that consists of balanced meals in terms of a carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein sources. This will ensure that you are fuelling your body adequately - before introducing the snacks!
Plan your meals
Planning ahead is not only beneficial in terms of staying on track with your healthy eating but it can also reduce your tendency to snack later on in the day or make poor choices with your snacks. Start by creating a meal plan routine for yourself. You know your hunger cues and your body best, so listen to this and decide when is the best time to have your three main meals. Sticking to your routine throughout the day and eating at your planned meal times can also help to keep your blood sugars stable.
Breakfast Options
Fuelling your body in the morning starts the day off right. Opting for breakfasts that are high in protein has been shown to reduce food cravings and snacking later in the day!
If you don't have time to prepare a well-balanced breakfast before you head out the door in the morning, then why not have a look at our 400Kcal Breakfast options. These breakfasts have been designed by our team of nutritionists and passionate chefs to ensure your can enjoy a tasty, nutritious brekkie
Lunch Options
Fibre and protein rich foods will keep your body fuelled and full for the afternoon ahead. Try to ensure that you are having a well balanced lunch each day and don't forget to include some of your 5 a day! Why not add a piece of fruit to your lunch everyday, whether that be an apple, banana or a handful of berries.
Stuck for lunch ideas? Well why not check out our 500 Kcal Lunches. We have a wide range of delicious meals available that will keep you full until dinner!
Dinner Options
Dinner can be a tricky one, especially after a long, hectic day at work. It can be tempting to just opt for a takeaway or head to the shops and pick up something quick and easy. Meal prep can really help here. Preparing your dinners in advance means that you simply heat and eat when you get home after a long day.
If you don't have time to prep yourself, don't panic, that's where we step in. Head over to our website and check out our wide range of delicious and nutritious 600kCal Dinners. There's something there for everyone, whether you're looking for a comforting meal, a 'fakeaway' or just something that tastes great!
- We also have a range of Family Meals for the whole family to enjoy.
Still hungry?
If you're still peckish in the evenings it is important to be smart with your snacks and make good choices. High sugar snacks will fill you up for a short period of time so try to avoid these. Aim for healthier options such as a handful of berries, some nuts, a square of dark chocolate or plain yoghurt. If you know you'll want a snack, make sure to have a selection of healthy snacks on hand, this will reduce the likelihood of going to the shops late at night and choosing an unhealthy option.
A small 200kCal snack is a great option if you're stuck for ideas. Luckily we have a whole range of delicious 200kCal Healthy Snacks that go down a treat - they taste great and curb those sweet cravings!