4 Foods That Can Help You Fight Off Late Night Sugar Cravings
October 4, 2021
4 Foods That Can Help You Fight Off Late Night Sugar Cravings
Late night snacking is something that we’ve all been tempted with at some point. As we get ourselves ready for bed and start to wind down, it’s like a switch goes off in the brain telling us to get up for that one last snack before we can slumber.
These cravings can be activated for a number of reasons, and while we can’t give you the magic fix to completely absolve the desires for a snack, we do believe that understanding what causes these cravings is one part of the solution. Plus we've got some tips to help you overcome them and empower yourself to make the best choices for your health!
4 Causes of Late Night Cravings
As it turns out, there are many reasons why we crave sweets after dark. It can be something simple like hunger or lack of sleep, or could be triggered by more complex reasons, like nutrient deficiencies or stress. Here are our top 4 reasons for late night snacking!
1. Not Enough (of The Right) Food
This is one of the easiest and most common mistakes to make. Our body’s nutritional requirements need to be met in order to function properly. When we skip meals or have a meal too high in carbohydrates and/or sugars, we run the risk of our brain signaling that we need more glucose to level our blood sugar out. Cue the sweet cravings! Having a guided nutrition plan can be helpful in making sure that your meals are comprised of a healthy balance of all of the things your body needs to feel complete and function most optimally. When you've given your body everything it needs in order to feel complete, you will be less tempted to snack on sweets and carbs before signing off for the night. Our Metabolic Majic Weight Loss Kits provide a comprehensive guide and meal plan for weight loss and healthy eating. Shop Majic Kits here.
2. Lack of Sleep
Sleep deprivation, no matter how minimal, can throw your hormones off balance. In turn, your brain will signal for sweets to help provide energy and a boost to stay moving. Support the body that supports you by aiming for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Well, we don’t know about you, but that sometimes is easier said than done. If you find that this applies to you, simply by getting more rest you will find yourself craving fewer snacks at night. One of our favorite sayings- “If you aren’t snoozing, you aren’t losing”
3. Dehydration
Dehydration can often be mistaken for sugar cravings or even hunger pains. A lack of fluid intake can make it more difficult for the body to metabolize glucose for energy. What we perceive as a hunger pain or craving is actually a signal from the body that it needs hydration. Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluid throughout the day to keep your energy sustained, eliminating the need for more sugar. Anytime you get a craving, drink an 8 oz. glass of water and wait 10 minutes. Chances are that you're no longer craving that food anymore!
4. Stress
Desserts spelled backwards is “STRESSED”. We can’t deny that the two go hand in hand. Stress can actually be linked to late night sugar cravings in two ways: physical response and emotional response. From a physical perspective, consuming sugar increases our dopamine levels, giving us a temporary boost in pleasure. This boost, however, is short-lived and it is not sustainable. Our body will quickly begin to crave sugar again...and again...and again. Thus, the vicious cycle begins and continues on. From an emotional perspective, sugar is comfort food that provides a temporary relief from a stressful situation. How can we put a stop to the cycle? Try to find a new relief from stress, a non-food relief that is. Some of our favorite ways to destress and decompress include meditation, hot baths, going for a walk, calling a friend, finishing a project, and any other number of ways to address stress without reaching for food!
If stress is a more regular part of your life than it is just "here and there" then adrenal supporting supplements can be a great way to help balance chronic stress. Supplements like MRC's Corti-trim are designed specifcally to help address stress and the effects of stress. It's made up of three unique propriety herbal blends that work in tandem to encourage a healthy stress response, maintain already healthy levels of Cortisol, and bonus - support weight management, too!* Get your 30-60 day supply of Corti-trim here.
4 Foods to Help Fight The Late Night Cravings
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Protein
Incorporate plenty of meat, poultry, and fish. This will give you the nutrients your body needs to help stabilize blood sugar levels, making it easier to avoid a sweet crave! If you've just got to snack on something, then consider foods like deli meat slices and cheesesticks that make great grab-and-go options from the fridge (aim for low-sodium alternatives whenever possible) or a small handful of nuts.
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Berries
Low-glycemic fruits like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are some of the best foods to consume, to help eliminate sugar cravings. They provide the flavor of sweetness, without spiking blood sugar. For a little extra richness, sprinkle an apple with cinnamon and bake in the oven for 20 minutes or roll strawberries in a little zero-calorie sweetener like Stevia. -
Non Starchy Vegetables
Nonstarchy vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, zucchini, lettuce, brussels sprouts, cucumbers, and cabbage have filling fiber to keep hunger at bay and are digested slowly. This will help prevent blood sugar spikes and curb the desire for something sweet or salty. Struggling to get in enough veggies? Supplement with a scoop of MRC's Super Fruit & Vegetable Drink Mix. This superfood mix contains 10 half cup servings of fruits and vegetables - all the nutrition of juicing without the hassle! Shop Super Fruit & Vegetable Drink Mix here.
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High Nutrient Supplement protein drinks
MRC's protein products are a great way to amp up protein without all of the calories. Made with 15g of high quality collagen and/or whey protein, these drinks are the ultimate defense against cravings. With over 30 different flavors to choose from, there's something for everyone to enjoy! If you need something that mixes up on the fly, our liquid concentrates are perfect for pouring into a water bottle or simply drinking out of the packet. Looking for a little more indulgence? Try our Double Chocolate Pudding or Creamy Hot Chocolate protein powder to keep cravings at bay.
You are not alone in this fight against cravings. We all have these struggles, and they are completely normal. You can't always prevent cravings, but you can control how you respond to them by understanding where your cravings might be coming from and how to respond in a healthy proactive way. And remember, if you happen to give into a craving from time to time, don’t be too hard on yourself! Progress, not perfection. Take time to reflect and plan for how you will respond differently next time! You've got this!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Adminstration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
