For one, the calories you consume that late at night will not go towards giving you energy because you are going to sleep. Also, eating food heavy in sugar, salt, and fat can leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable, which does not make for a good night’s sleep. Luckily, there are other healthy options when you need a late night snack.

The portions are also astronomical. Next time you get an omelet craving, you can make your own healthy version with low fat cheese and tons of veggies. You can make it even healthier by using egg whites, or go half and half. This recipe is quick, easy, and delicious.

The Pizza Alternative

Pizza is usually a great late night snack because we have leftovers in the fridge from dinner, and some people even prefer eating it cold. As much as we like to think pizza is healthy because the tomatoes in the sauce are technically vegetables, there is a healthier way to eat pizza as a late night snack.

These English muffin pizzas are healthy and easy to make. You can use multi-grain English muffins like the recipe calls for, or if you can find whole wheat English muffins, that’s even better. Add some low fat cheese and veggies for toppings, and you have one healthy late night snack

Ice Cream Can be Healthy

A sweet treat tastes so good at night after you’ve put on your pajamas and are ready to watch some late night TV. A big bowl of Rocky Road right before bed is not the healthiest choice. Believe it or not, there is a healthy alternative to ice cream, and it doesn’t mean buying the low fat, no sugar kind. You can make “ice cream” out of frozen bananas and add in ingredients like cocoa powder, peanut butter, and honey to make it delicious. Check out this recipe for five different ways to make banana “ice cream.”

With these healthy alternatives to the typical late night snack, you will feel better about having a midnight nosh every once in awhile. Just remember to keep the portion size small and maybe schedule a workout for the next morning. Happy snacking!

Remember that Neighbors Emergency Centers are here for you to treat any emergency you may have. We are open 24/7/365, and we have short wait times to get you back to doing what you love most. Find your nearest Neighbors at nec24.com.

If you make your own, you can choose healthy nuts, like raw almonds, cashews, or pistachios. Avoid nuts that have been roasted in oil to avoid hydrogenated fats. When looking for add-ins, you don’t have to get rid of all the fun stuff. You can still put chocolate in your mix, but go for dark chocolate, like dark chocolate M&Ms, if your child will eat it. Other options include whole wheat pretzels or crackers, raisins, whole grain cereals, or air-popped popcorn. Here are several snack mix ideas to keep things fresh and fun.

Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

If you are like most people, you probably have a deep devotion to Nutella. If you aren’t familiar with this delicious chocolate hazelnut spread, it was created in Italy during World War II and was imported into America in 1983.

In recent years, it has taken the culinary world by storm, with entire cookbooks devoted to incorporating Nutella into everything edible. Sadly, it is not very healthy because the first ingredient is sugar and the second ingredient is modified vegetable oils, which is code for highly processed. Good news! You can make a healthier version by using whole food ingredients. This recipe cuts back on the sugar content by using bittersweet chocolate and honey, and light coconut milk takes the place of regular milk, cutting back on the fat. Your kids can dip fruit in it or put it on celery; they can also spread it on whole wheat crackers or toast.

Peanut Butter and Honey Oat Bars

Granola bars are the go-to snack for many families on the go. They’re so easy to throw in a lunchbox or backpack. Unfortunately, many pre-packaged granola bars are just glorified candy bars. Most have a very high sugar content in the form of high fructose corn syrup and are lacking in protein and important nutrients.

There are decent store-bought granola bars out there, but it’s so easy to make your own, and you can even let your kids help. This recipe uses ingredients like honey, coconut oil, and oats to create a healthy, delicious, and filling granola bar.

These healthy snack ideas will win over even the pickiest eater, and you don’t even have to tell your kids that they’re healthy. Happy snacking!

Remember that Neighbors Emergency Centers are here for you to treat any emergency you may have. We are open 24/7/365, and we have short wait times to get you back to doing what you love most. Find your nearest Neighbors at nec24.com.