We always seem to veer a little more toward the naughty than the nice once the sun sets. Our iron-clad discipline starts to wane, our cravings come out to play, and those “naughty” treats begin to take on a whole new appeal. A quart of ice cream with a box of cookies start to seem like a good idea…and soon enough we are left with melted chocolate on our fingers, crumbs in our bed, and a restless night’s sleep. Upon waking, the guilt forms like a cloud over our heads, leaving us regretful about decisions made.

While the guilt of eating naughty foods is bad enough, the food itself does a number on its own. The foods that we choose – if they’re loaded with refined sugar, trans-fatty acids, sodium, or chemicals – are usually difficult to digest. Here’s the deal: once the body goes into sleep mode, its goal is to focus on repairing and cleansing, not on digesting. Therefore, the consumption of hard-to-process foods taxes the system, pushing the body into stress mode. The food is often not properly digested, which creates a slew of toxins in the system. Blood sugar is spiked, adrenaline is released, toxins are stored in adipose tissue (fat), and rebuilding and detoxifying processes are impaired. As a result, weight gain and bloating ensue, sleep issues begin, and the stage is set for a list of nagging symptoms and ailments.

The consequences of poorly chosen late-night snacks are far more distressing than expected, but here’s the good news: you don’t have to quit your nighttime snacking habit, just tweak it a bit. Choosing foods that are easy to digest, naturally sweetened, and full of whole nutrients can actually help the body repair and cleanse. Take a look at our top ten healthy late-night snacks that will undoubtedly satisfy your belly without expanding your waistline…