Healthier, satisfying bedtime snacks for improved sleep.
Evenings are for snacking, but if you’re hitting up the triple “C” (Chips, Candy, & Cookies) on a nightly basis, then you’re making your body do a lot more work to fall asleep and stay asleep, which can get in the way of getting healthy quality sleep.
We’ve compiled a list of satisfying bedtime snacks that are optimal for preparing your body for sleepy time. While it’s not always ideal to snack right before bed, we’ve all been victims of the 9pm kitchen raid looking for those salty snacks or tasty treats in the back of the cupboard.
But have you noticed that it may be harder to fall asleep or stay asleep, or you feel groggy in the morning? Your nightly snack may be preventing you from getting the rejuvenating rest you need each night.
We’ve got three snacking sections: salty snacks to replace chips, sweet snacks to replace sugary treats, and snacks for when you are feeling hungry. Keep an open mind and try some of these bedtime snacking ideas to see what you like.
Bedtime Snacks to Replace Chips:
Chips have a unique combination of crunch and saltiness that makes them irresistible to many people. The crunchy texture of chips paired with the savory flavors from the added seasonings creates a tantalizing snack.
However, eating chips before bed can have a detrimental effect on your sleep quality. Chips are typically high in fat, salt, and calories, making them an unhealthy choice for a late-night snack.
Popcorn with Salt
Light and airy, healthy nighttime snack that is perfect to mindlessly snack on before bedtime. With a touch of salt to help when you want chips!
Popcorn with Nutritional Yeast
The nutritional yeast is a great “cheese” replacement for cheesy snacks like cheese crackers, cheesy puffs, and chips.
Whole Grain Crackers with Hummus
The whole grain crackers bring the CRUNCH while the hummus brings the flavor.
Celery Sticks and Nut Butter
Satisfyingly crunchy with creamy peanut butter or a nut butter of your choice.
Trail Mix: Nuts and Seeds (Try to Avoid Chocolate or Dried Fruit)
Trail mixes aren’t all created equal, but if you can find one with nuts and seeds, it’s the most ideal before bedtime.
Carrots
While carrots might not satisfy a salty craving, they make up for it with major crunch!
Cucumber with Hummus
Refreshing with flavor!
Almonds
Almonds, although they might be slightly boring, they’re an excellent bedtime snack. Pairs well with a cup of herbal tea.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Seeds are a tasty little before-bed snack, and pumpkin seeds are versatile. Try it with garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce or pumpkin pie spice or olive oil and sea salt.
Nori – Roasted Seaweed
Nori or roasted seaweed is light, airy, salty and crispy – quadruple win! Purchase the snacking packs for a quick n’ easy snack sesh.
Kale Chips
If you can get past how healthy and nutritious kale is, you can start to love it unconditionally and trick yourself into buying it, baking it, and calling it chips.
Bedtime Snacks for When You Have a Sweet Tooth:
Dessert is an indulgence that many of us enjoy when we can, especially at night. After a long day, it can be calming and satisfying to sit down with something sweet and savor the flavors. Eating dessert can help us feel relaxed and content while giving us pleasure.
However, eating sugar before bedtime is not good for getting quality sleep. Eating sugary snacks can result in an increased heart rate and blood sugar levels, which can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Also, a lot of sweet snacks and desserts contain chocolate which has caffeine.
Raspberries
Not just for bunny rabbits – we (humans) can also enjoy this delicious fruit!
Kiwis
Tangy and sweet! Plus it’s shown to help with sleep time and sleep efficiency.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a delicious and satisfying bedtime snack.
Dragonfruit
Dragonfruit is low on sugar and is a nourishing bedtime treat! Double win!
Blackberries
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even mix this with raspberries.
Bananas
Sweet, filling, and may help with improving your sleep!
Sweet potatoes
While it’s not ideal to load up on carbs before bedtime, sweet potatoes are still a much healthier “sweet” option in comparison to cookies.
Cottage Cheese with Tart Cherries
Tangy, sweet AND creamy all in one bowl! You’ll be entering your sweet, sweet dreams before you even fall asleep. Tart cherry juice has shown to have sleep-promoting qualities.
Whole Grain, Low-Sugar Cereal with Milk
Grab a bowl, cereal, milk, and spoon – voila!
Bedtime Snacks for When You’re Hungry:
It’s important to know if you are snacking for fun or out of hunger because it can affect your quality of sleep. If you’re feeling hungry, then choosing snacks that have some nutritional value with higher levels of protein and fiber will provide more satisfaction so that way you can fall asleep easily without being kept awake by hunger pangs.
Avocado with Salt
Creamy and filling. Keep it simple with a sprinkle or sea salt or you can spice it up however you’d like.
Cottage cheese with Tomatoes
Cottage cheese and tomatoes is a classic snack food for a reason.
String Cheese
String cheese is one of the few foods that is acceptable to eat in your bed.
Leftover Turkey
Grab a chunk of turkey, put on your pajamas, and let the tryptophan set in…..ok actually, it’s debatable.
Leftover Chicken
If you feel hungry at night, it’s ok to give in! What’s important is to nourish your body, especially if you have hunger pains. Grab some leftover chicken, eat it over the sink, put on your pjs, scroll your ex’s Instagram in bed, put lotion on your elbows, and gently fall asleep.
Smoked Salmon
Whole Grain Toast with Nut Butter
Stick to whole grain toast and a no-sugar nut butter of your choice!
Spoon of Peanut Butter
This is great in a pinch and pairs perfectly with a glass of milk.