Thursday, September 10, 2009
It’s that time of night we all dread. We had dinner a long time ago, but we have a long time until breakfast. Taco Bell even has its own name for it: Fourth Meal, the late-night hankering for more food. Is late night snacking making us pack on the pounds, or are we simply satisfying our cravings?
Staci Hendrickson, registered dietician at Healthy Balance, 535 Gateway Drive, says as long as people don’t go over the total calories they should be eating in a day, it doesn’t really matter what time of day they eat. Hendrickson says the problem most people have with late-night snacking is they eat while watching TV or trying to stay up and study and are just adding extra calories on top of what they’ve already eaten throughout the day.
“It’s all in how you’re doing it,” Hendrickson says. “If you’re just doing that snacking and you’re not really hungry then your body doesn’t really need it, but if you’re actually hungry and you maybe didn’t get to eat dinner, then you need to eat.”
To avoid the past-midnight fast food line, combine drinking water with eating snacks high in fiber, such as whole-grain crackers, whole-grain cereals or popcorn, which Hendrickson says is very filling but doesn’t have a lot of calories as long as it isn’t loaded with butter. If it’s your sweet tooth that is nagging you, Hendrickson says drinking sugar-free hot cocoa can be a good strategy for quieting the craving without the extra calories.
Verdict: Good for you
As long as you stick to healthy snacks and only eat when you’re actually hungry
Good for you/bad for you
Snacking before you sleep
Healthy eating made easier
A meal-by-meal guide to nutritious yet satisfying food alternatives
Snacking strategies for late-night studying
During finals week, carbohydrates and protein-filled snacks are beneficial.
Foods to help you lose that butt ...
Eating healthy during school doesn’t require as much time or money as ...
Good for you, bad for you: Low-fat ...
Verdict: Other than dairy, BAD FOR YOU
Make over your breakfast
Slow Down and Chew
Eating slowly and healthy helps you during finals and the holidays.
Selecting foods that are cost- and health-effective
March is Nutrition Month and this year's theme is "Eat Right with ...
The skinny on fad diets
The truth about ‘quick and easy’ weight loss
Essential life skills: nutrition on the go
In case of emergency, read quickly.
Late-night meals lead to weight gain
Hectic schedules often lead college students to scramble to find time for ...
Good for you/Bad for you: Bagels
The truth about bagels and your health.
Late night dining popular with students
Several restaurants in Lawrence make early morning munching possible for those who ...
Better Options for Bad Situations: Baking
If you're going to do it, be smart.
Safe at HOMEBASE
The task force HOMEBASE passed out some samples of its Better Bites ...
Food for thought
Our famished feelings frequently influence the way we feed our faces
Jonesing for Java
The problems and benefits of caffeine
Good for you, bad for you: Working ...
Sometimes it's hard to tell.
Breaking up with bread and cheese
My struggle with gluten and lactose intolerance.
Better Options for Bad Situations: Whole Grain ...
If you're going to do it, be smart.
Losing weight, losing control
Among the millions who struggle with eating disorders, the majority suffer from ...
Portions can reduce holiday weight gain
Instead of binge eating on Thanksgiving, divided portions can lead to less ...
Alcohol, food trade-off leads to danger
Drunkorexia, or drinking instead of eating, is a harmful trend among college-aged ...
KU panel discusses your brain, on food
Studies at KU Life Span Institute look to answer questions about the ...
Durbin: Fast food is only convenient in ...
It’s easy to go on a burger, pizza or taco run, but ...
Stuffing your face
Move over “you are what you eat.” The new saying is “you ...
Grab a slice
When in doubt for dinner, pick up a pizza. With delivery, carry-out ...
Stocked kitchen
Essential life skills: Salad making
In case of emergency, read quickly.
Raising awareness for National Diabetes Month
The American Diabetes Association recommends nutritional food and adequate exercise to ward ...
Sleeping through school
Siestas in sociology? Napping in neurobiology? Keeping up your energy for class ...
Exercising care while pursuing perfection
Experts dispel myths, dispense advice on achieving a healthy workout.
More ZZZ's Please
Enter unconsciousness and see what goes on before the alarm clock goes ...
What's in a label?
Finding the accuracy in “healthy” food labels.
Mastering the art of college cooking
Tired of frozen dinners? Cooking for yourself doesn't always require natural talent ...
Step up your smoothie
Benefit from crafting your own blended beverages.
McCoy: The reason fad diets fade
Popular weight loss plans don't always stand for effectiveness.
Creative crock pot
Better options for bad situations: stressing out
If you're going to do it, be smart.
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID