Experts suggest that if you stay up too late, it's best to have a late-night snack to avoid too long an interval between dinner and breakfast, which can harm the stomach and increase the risk of gallstones. So, what should you eat for a late-night snack? Nutritionists say that starches and dairy products are the top choices for a healthy late-night snack, such as light congee, rice or noodle soup, milk, and bread. The starch in congee fully combines with water, providing energy without lacking moisture. It is also delicious, soothing for the throat, easy to eat, nutritious, and easily digestible, making it the top choice for a healthy late-night snack. Fish congee, pork liver congee, and beef congee are usually people's first choices. In fact, having some Babao congee is also a good choice. The main ingredients of Babao congee are grains, commonly including japonica rice, glutinous rice, and Job's tears. By carefully cooking with red dates, beans, walnuts, and other ingredients, these raw materials generally have the beneficial effects of replenishing qi and nourishing the body. Regular consumption can calm the mind, clear heat, moisten the lungs, and relieve coughing, and is very beneficial for regulating the stomach and relieving work stress.
Oatmeal, in addition to being high in calcium and low in fat, is also rich in vitamins A, B complex, as well as iron and folic acid, which are most needed by women. Some oatmeal is also labeled as sugar-free, making it most suitable for women who want to maintain their figure while replenishing nutrients. "The best late-night snack is a combination of dairy products, a small amount of carbohydrates, and a little fruit. If you had a light dinner, you can have a slightly larger snack; if dinner was already quite丰盛, you can just have some milk and fruit," said the nutritionist.
Some people think that instant noodles are convenient and simple, so a bowl of "fragrant" instant noodles is often their late-night snack. Some citizens like to add a lot of meat or seafood to their congee, or have braised dishes with it. Many young people also like to order fried takeout from KFC, McDonald's, etc. In response, the nutritionist pointed out that instant noodles are very high in oil and calories, and their nutrition is unbalanced. Furthermore, some fried foods and seafood are high in fat and protein, making them difficult to digest. Eating them as a late-night snack not only affects sleep but can also affect appetite the next morning.