Confessions of a Late Night Snacker: From Processed to Real Food Snacks

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Here’s my confession! I used to be a late night snacker! Does that sound familiar? I’m sure someone will recognize themselves in this scenario. I was never hungry in the morning so I would skip breakfast. I would have a light lunch and  lots of tea and coffee all day. By evening I was so hungry that I would have a huge, heavy dinner and then snack all night in front of the T.V.! Now I’ve gone from a processed food snacker to a real food snacker and I’m okay with it!

Once I started eating real food I began to eat 3 full meals and 3 or more snacks a day. I researched the heck out of “real food” snacks because once I got rid of all the processed (and let’s face it convenient) snacks, I had no idea what I would snack on! Prior to making our real food changes, at night I would eat chips, pop, cookies, crackers and chocolate! I would eat them absent-mindedly in front of the TV so I had no idea just what I was eating. I totally numbed myself all night. I’d wake up in the morning stuffed from the night before and so the whole pattern repeated itself!

I would say late night snacking was one of the hardest habit to quit! I’m still not quite over it! What I have managed to do to improve this habit is change what I’m snacking on and how much of it I’m doing. It’s not about being perfect but about making better choices!

First of all, my water intake has changed the amount of snacking I do. When we think we are hungry, our body is sometimes just thirsty. Having 8-10 glasses of water a day takes away those hunger pangs so I want to snack a lot less. I now wake up hungry and so I eat 3 full and healthy meals a day and this also reduces the amount I want to snack. Now when I snack, I just snack on real food and I just make sure I snack in moderation.

TEXT HERE This recipe is one of my favourite snacks because not only is it a great snack it is also high in protein. I’m always looking to get more protein in our diet since we are not huge meat eaters anymore. It’s also a great vehicle for eating more vegetables! When I removed the processed foods and put hummus in front of my kids they now eat carrots, celery, mushrooms and cauliflower with it and lots of it! Who knew? When we changed our eating habits, one of the things I wanted to do was to increase our vegetable intake but I wanted to eat more raw veggies as well. Eating hummus does the trick!

I try to make this recipe ahead on Sunday and it’s in the fridge for everyone to snack on for the week. I’ll even cut up a bunch of veggies or get the kids to cut up their own for the week for their lunch. I change up the recipe and put roasted red pepper (YUM!) and add cilantro sometimes too. Hummus is one of my favourite savoury go-to snacks! My sweet go-to snack are these Sinful Bites which I change up all the time with different ingredients. I love to have one of these bites with a cup of tea or coffee. Between these two snacks I always have something either savoury or sweet to snack on late at night and now as long as they are real food snacks I never worry if I’m having too much! I never count the calories and I just let my body decide if it’s hungry or not. I stop when I’ve had that snack in moderation. No more confessions!

Here are a few other real food snacks that I make sure I keep in the house ALWAYS!

  • raw nuts and seeds
  • cheese
  • avocado
  • fruit
  • vegetables
  • dark chocolate
  • popcorn

Leave me a comment with your favourite “real food” go-to snack! Is it sweet or savoury? Also try the hummus and let me know how you love it!

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Hummus
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Serve as a snack with raw veggies or as a spread on bread or crackers!
Author:
Recipe type: Middle Eastern
Cuisine: Snack
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 3 cups of cooked chickpeas (or 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed)
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 TB lemon juice
  • 1 TB Tahini
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp salt, pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Place the chickpeas, water, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, cumin and salt and pepper in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Add more water if you feel it's needed. Place in a bowl and serve with raw veggies!
  2. Variation: Red Pepper Hummus.
  3. Roast 2 red peppers and place in the processor with other ingredients

 

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About Sandra

In a previous life, Sandra was an adult educator, counsellor and trainer. While running a successful direct marketing business she became passionate about business, social media and coaching. She strives everyday for a life full of health, wellness, adventure, passion and purpose!

Comments

  1. Great information. I have to admit late night snacking is a habit I am trying to kick..or at lease change.
    I printed out the Hummus recipe, we eat this regularily.
    Looking forward to reading more of your blogs.

  2. Hi Sandra – Great tips, and I love hummus! Thanks so much for linking up with the Let’s Get Real party!

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