DIG IN: These foods will curb your cravings and leave you satisfied

There has been a popular meme circulating social media lately. The text reads as follows:

9am: Egg whites and avocado

1pm: Kale salad

6pm: Chicken and veggies

11pm: 23 Oreos and a tub of ice cream

We’ve all been there. Eaten stacks of healthy food all day only for the clock to hit 9pm and suddenly we’re reaching for every unhealthy thing we can find.

Whether it’s stress, emotional eating, or a craving you simply can’t kick late night bingeing is a major cause of weight gain as your body doesn’t have time to burn off the calories you just ate before hitting the sack.

Unhealthy eating can also make your sleep more restless and set you up for bingeing and fatigue the next day.

While sleeping is already an effective method of losing weight, there are things you can eat before bed and in place of the unhealthy cravings, that can add to the weight loss.

1. Bowl of cereal

Before you reach for a bowl of Coco Pops, the best late-night cereal to eat is something more whole-grain like oats or bran flakes. These complex carbs are easier to digest and will be less than 200 calories per bowl.

2. Apple with peanut butter

Apples have the satisfying crunch your bored mouth is probably craving and they are also packed with fibre. The peanut or almond butter adds protein an will fill you up.

3. String cheese

A serving of string cheese contains both protein and fat which will satisfy your innate cravings - and will only set you back around 80 calories.

4. Non-fat Greek yoghurt

Greek yoghurt contains sleep-inducing tryptophan as well as protein. It can also help calm your stomach so you are less likely to wake up with indigestion or heartburn. Add a few libido-increasing berries to the mix and you’re on to a winner.

5. Non-fat chocolate pudding

A store-bought or made yourself chocolate pudding will satisfy your sweet tooth without the added calories. Make sure it’s non-fat or sugar free or if you are making it yourself try an avocado-based chocolate pudding as an alternative.

6. Banana

Banana’s are another great source of fibre and tryptophan and they will help satisfy your sweet craving.

7. Two slices of turkey

Still got some Christmas leftovers? Turkey is filled with tryptophan and it’s also low in fat and high in protein. So it will keep you fuller for longer and send you straight to sleep.