It is not unusual to crave something to eat right before bedtime or even after getting into bed. Dinner may have been enough a while ago, but you just don’t feel full even after having a generous meal. The challenge remains with finding something that is healthy to eat and at the same time filling enough to suppress those hunger pangs. Proper nutrition is especially crucial for diabetics as sugar and fat intake must be kept in check.

Fortunately, several healthy snacks are diabetes-friendly. You can make these and keep in stock for your late-night rendezvous in the kitchen. Herein, we discuss popular food options.

1. Greek yogurt
Yogurt is rich in calcium and protein. It is also a great bedtime snack to have and is the healthiest option among all dairy products. Ensure that you buy and stock your refrigerator with sugar-free low-fat options.

2. Peanut butter and apple slice
You could not have a healthier snack for diabetes, especially to curb those midnight cravings. Peanut butter is effective in helping the body control and maintain blood sugar levels. It is also rich in healthy fats, fiber, and most importantly, protein. Apple slices are rich in antioxidants, essential vitamins, and minerals. Coat freshly cut apple slices with a light layer of peanut butter on each side, and simply munch away! When you get bored of peanut butter, you can switch to almond or cashew butter for a change.

3. A bowl of nuts
Most nuts have a balanced ratio of fiber and protein. They are also loaded with vitamin E, omega-3 fats, and essential vitamins and minerals to supplement daily bodily and digestive functions. So, grab a handful of almonds, walnuts, and peanuts if you feel an urge to eat at night, even after having a heavy dinner.

4. Hard boiled eggs
Digestion breaks down food to release the nutrients into the bloodstream and provide energy for the body. Eating late at night or overeating affects the digestive process. Have a hard boiled egg instead with a few whole-grain crackers to suppress those hunger pangs. Eggs are rich in protein and crackers are high in fiber. These foods help slow down digestion and release energy gradually thus helping manage blood sugar levels.

5. Healthy salads
It is unusual to suppress your midnight hunger cravings with just a bowl of salad. However, a bowl of non-starchy vegetables makes a filling snack for diabetes patients. A few boiled baby carrots, a couple of julienned or diced ripe tomatoes, and some cucumber slices with just the right amount of seasoning to make up for a healthy bedtime snack. These veggies are rich in antioxidants and fiber but low in calories, carbohydrates, and fats. It is always better to choose a healthy-calorie snack over a low-carbohydrate snack as there are more nutritional benefits of calories.

6. Chickpeas
You can have a bowl of boiled chickpeas or buy hummus, a Middle Eastern dish that is made out of ground chickpeas, oil, and seasoning. Sticks of celery and hummus go hand in hand making it an excellent snack for diabetes patients before going to bed. Chickpeas are rich in fiber and protein.