Healthy Late Night Meal Composition?

[RUN]

What would be a good late night meal (in terms of composition)
Carbs, Protein, Fat,

The idea is to kill the late night hunger, but to sleep well and wake up with energy.

Thanks.

[Connors]

Casein protein is awesome before bed. it gels in your stomach which takes a lot longer for your body to digest. While you're sleeping you're getting a more steady flow of nutrients throughout the night. Any healthy fat is good before bed but I wouldn't house a lot of Peanut Butter if you're looking to lose weight.

[TunaBoat]

Almonds before bed or all natural almond butter.

[RUN]

Thanks.

Casein as a supplement, or there are foods that contain it?

For some reason hate peanut butter (go figure) so that won't be a problem :)

[Connors]

Thanks.

Casein as a supplement, or there are foods that contain it?

For some reason hate peanut butter (go figure) so that won't be a problem :)

Cottage cheese, cheese, and milk are all good sources of casein protein. I would roll with Cottage cheese though.

[PTAaron]

I agree with the above... also would like to add Protein Pudding (from vitamin shoppe), or some kind of solid food like chicken.

Basically I try to avoid carbs right before bed and stick with a mostly protein meal.

[RUN]

thanks again guys.

I figured avoiding carbs would be a good idea.

what is the verdict on fat?
Go for lowfat cottage cheese, or regular?

what about fruity carbs, like banana/apple/ ? something to put into the cottage cheese.

[Scott21]

I take it you are not lean and you are looking to lose fat or not to put on extra body fat, because if you weren't you probably wouldn't be asking this question. In that case stick to protein/Veggies or Protein/fat (good fats) You want to avoid carbs at night for two reasons (unless immediately post workout). First reason, carbs are stored as an energy source, when when you are not using them up it can and will store into fat tissue. Two, when you consume carbs at night your body releases insulin at night, when there is an insulin spike your bodies natural GH levels will be non existant at night, which is a great muscle building and fat burning hormone.


Some great choices

Whey Isolate Protein shake with a tblspn of peanut butter

Egg whites mixed with a couple whole eggs

Lean chicken and veggies

Lean steak 93% fat free or higher

Lean chicken and an ounce of almonds

[Connors]

Cup of plain greek yogurt(loaded with protein) mixed with natural peanut butter and splenda

[mouth]

protein pudding?

[Ken Ahearn]

With Whey Protein add a banana it slows the liver process down making it last longer throughout the night.