Well, it really depends on what you eat. If you’re snacking late at night on healthy things like carrots, grapes and raisins, midnight snacking won’t hurt too much. Let’s be honest, though, that’s probably not what you’re snacking on before bedtime

Experts say that unhealthy late-night snacking can put your digestive system in a pickle, and our team at AFC Urgent Care Easley highlights why below.

How Does Snacking Late at Night Affect My Health?

Multiple studies have shown that a person’s metabolic rate is linked to a specific time of day. So, when your body slows down in the evening and night hours, chances are that your metabolism has slowed down considerably as well.

Unfortunately, that means that you are more likely to gain weight when you’re indulging in the late-night munchies. In addition to weight gain, we’ve listed a few more ways late-night snacking can affect your overall health.

More Ways Late-Night Snacking Affects You

• You are more likely to overeat than at planned meal times.
• Results in higher blood sugar levels, which can lead to disease
• You may miss some nutrients and benefits of the foods you are consuming as the body more readily absorbs nutrients during regular eating times.
• It may be a sign that your sleep is out of rhythm. Not getting enough sleep can affect the body’s ability to function properly.

How Can I Stop Snacking in the Evening?

Even though late-night cravings feel totally unavoidable at times, there are ways to make say no!

If you find that stress is one of the main contributors to your late-night snacking, consider implementing some healthy daily habits to combat stress, like yoga or meditation, so you’re not grabbing for a bag of chips or cookies when you feel overwhelmed. We’ve listed a few more ways to reduce those light-night hunger pangs.

More Ways to Deal with Late-Night Cravings

• If you must snack on something, try healthy options like nuts, peanut butter, yogurt or fruit.
• Drink caffeine-free, herbal tea before bed. This will soothe your stomach and make you feel more restful.
• Don’t skip any meals. Eating three meals a day will lessen your chances of feeling snacky later.
• Brush your teeth. This will send a psychological signal to your brain that you‘re finished eating and are preparing for bed. Also, food doesn’t taste as good after brushing your teeth.

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Easley is passionate about keeping you healthy. If you find yourself feeling under the weather, don’t hesitate to visit us.