You can eat popcorn at night, but you should be aware of some
These air-filled, crunchy snacks can be comforting while you watch television or your favorite movie. However, according to nutrition experts, eating popcorn late at night could cause you to gain weight and experience sleep problems.
Before we get to the potential health hazards that popcorn can pose, let's examine whether or not these rumors are true.
Do I need to eat popcorn before getting into bed?
Is popcorn good for you? Pure Nutrition founder Ryan Andrews believes it is.
He told Neutral ingredients-USA: For a long time, we have believed that waking up with an empty stomach was paramount for weight loss and health benefits. This could be incorrect.
Ryan suggests that people who skip breakfast and wait to eat lunch are at increased risk for obesity and diabetes.
He stated that eating a small snack before you go to bed will promote better sleep quality. And you might even enjoy a lower body weight too!
While eating popcorn at night could potentially help you lose some pounds, it can also be bad for your health.
Is popcorn healthy?
When you think about eating popcorn before bed, it's easy to assume that the snack is a much healthier option compared to fast food or salty chips. This is false, unfortunately.
Many microwave popcorn varieties are full of calories and fats that can cause you to gain weight. According to the US Department of Agriculture(USDA), one small serving of popcorn can provide nearly 500 calories. A single serving of popcorn contains 77% of the daily recommended intake of saturated fat.
Remember that microwave popcorn should not be eaten if you're trying to lose or keep your body weight down. This simple snack can lead to weight gain because of the artificial ingredients and preservatives.
Don't eat microwaveable popcorn before going to bed. Eat an apple or banana instead.
What's the best thing to eat before you go to bed?
Dr. Oz recommends eating a small snack along with dinner if you want to get better sleep, especially if your work is late.
According to an expert, protein and fat should be consumed at least two hours before one goes to sleep.
He recommends healthy snacks like a handful of almonds or slices of cheese and cucumbers.
Simple, natural foods are always best, especially when it comes to bedtime. The last thing you want to do is load your body up with artificial chemicals that can cause health problems over time.
You can also eat before you go to bed.
apple
banana
Cheese and cucumbers
Almonds
Cottage cheese or yogurt
whole-grain cereal (for a healthy carb)
Fruit is a healthy snack to have before bed
The best foods to avoid at night include caffeinated beverages, such as sodas, coffee, and tea. All of these things can lead to sleeplessness.
spicy and sugary snacks will keep you up and prevent deep sleep.
Processed foods such as chips and candy bars are high in sugar, fats, preservatives, and other chemicals.
Dried fruits are high in sugar, and can dehydrate due to their high water content.
How to eat popcorn at night?
Experts have some suggestions for you if you do plan on eating popcorn at night.
It is better to keep the portion small.
Popcorn with low fat and no added sugars is a good choice.
Avoid high-calorie toppings that could lead to weight gain.
Try some spices or herbs instead.
It is best to purchase popcorn that can be made at home. The extra fats and sugars in packaged popcorn are designed to make it taste better. However, these added ingredients can actually disrupt your sleep.
Is it bad to have popcorn every night?
Are you putting popcorn in your bed before you go to sleep every night? Experts state that popcorn before bed is good for weight loss.
One study shows a link between frequent snacking habits and obesity. A study found that people who snack more than three times per day are 81% less likely to have a high BMI.
What is BMI? BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It's a number that determines how much body fat you have. This is one way you can determine whether your body weight is healthy, or if it needs to be lost.
Research also revealed that snacking is not linked to being overweight in kids, but there is a strong link between being overweight and snacking in adults.
Another study concluded that people who consume popcorn at night are more prone to gain weight. This was due to the high sodium content in microwaveable popcorn as well as unhealthy fats that were included for flavoring.
A link was also found between snacking and obesity. It was found that the more snacks you eat during the day, you will be more likely to be overweight in the future.
What is one serving of popcorn? One cup is equal to 50g or 1.6 ounces of popcorn kernels.
Should I eat if I'm hungry at night?
You should eat immediately if you feel hungry at night. To avoid eating later, you must stop hunger pangs quickly.
Research has found that people who eat salty foods at night are more likely to overeat. This is one reason why you should think twice about adding extra salt to your popcorn or eating those cheesy snacks before bed!
Salty foods can lead to dehydration, weight gain, and high blood pressure.
Consider snacking at night. Make sure you choose something filling, healthy, and not too salty.
In Summary
Eating popcorn before bed is not necessarily a bad idea. The issue with eating high-calorie snacks, like chips and candy bars at night, stems from the way that these foods are processed by your body overnight.
Sugars in dried fruits can cause dehydration and lead to sleeplessness as well. If you enjoy snacking on something sweet or salty before sleeping, make sure to limit the amount of popcorn that you eat.
