While surfing through Letterman, Leno, and Kimmel, your stomach starts to rumble. Don't nuke that leftover pizza or inhale a pint of ice cream. "When you overheat before bed, your body is much more likely to store those calories as fat," says nutritionist Manuel Villacorta, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. You can still eat something, he says. It just needs to be the right snack. A couple of rules: stick to less than 300 calories—anything more is a meal. And wait at least an hour before hitting the sack so you have plenty of time to digest.
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Strawberry shake Blend kefir (it's like a liquid yogurt), strawberries, and a teaspoon of honey for a refreshing protein shake that's also chock-full of digestion-enhancing probiotics. |
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Frozen blueberries A cup of the fruit is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and more than 4 grams of fiber. For a richer snack, top them with a little light whipping cream. |
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Yogurt cubes If you're an ice cream lover, try this lean alternative: pour a homemade smoothie (like the kefir-strawberry mixture above) into ice cube trays, then freeze until slushy. |
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Multigrain pretzels Whether in stick or twist form, pretzels are a surprisingly good alternative to chips. One ounce—about a handful—boasts just over 100 calories. To add some metabolism-revving protein, dunk 'em in yogurt. |
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Crackers For a nutty snack, try Ak-mak crackers (made of stone-ground sesame seeds), multigrain Wasa crackers, or low-fat rye mini toasts. Spread on some hummus or light cheese, or eat with a small slice of lean lunch meat. |
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Cheese quesadilla Sprinkle some grated low-fat cheese, like Jarlesberg light, in between a couple of high-fiber tortillas, then crisp both sides on a cast-iron skillet or indoor grill. The healthiest cheeses have just 3 to 5 grams of fat per ounce. |
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Popcorn Choose 100-calorie packs of 94% fat-free microwave popcorn. Or air-pop your own. Skip the butter. Instead, raid your spice cabinet: Use lime powder for tang, cayenne pepper for heat, or a dash of cinnamon for sweetness. |
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Greek yogurt "It's high protein, low in sugar, and can really fill you up," Villacorta says. For more flavor, mix in your own fruit, like sliced papaya. |
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Dark chocolate The darker the better. Chocolate made with at least 70% cacao contains less sugar and more antioxidants than its milky cousin. |
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Dried figs Three or four of the chewy, candylike fruit should do the trick. Still hungry? Pair them with a wedge of light cheese like Laughing Cow. |
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