Snacks after 8pm

WandaBperfect wrote: »

I have struggled to get my calories in ever since I connected my fitbit. Since I get bonus calories every day for being active but can't predict exactly how many, I have been searching for the ideal evening snack. I usually find myself trying to fit in 100 cal. worth of carbs but have no sugar left. One day I needed protein but no fat. I was happy to discover that I can pop corn in the microwave with no fat at all. It has no sugar (which is unusual for a carb). I used to have cereal and skim milk in the evening if I have enough sugar coming and need protein as well as carbs. I think what works for me is actually tracking what I plan to eat and looking at the totals. If I don't like what I see I delete and try something else. Just keep a supply of possibile foods in your pantry and fridge so you can be flexible.

One needn't be that exact, IMO.

Staying within calorie goal (or close) is what's needful for weight management, directly. (Other things can have indirect effects).

Nutritionally, protein and fat are "essential nutrients", in the technical sense that our bodies can't manufacture them out of other intake, so we need to eat some. So, many people here treat protein and fats as minimums, don't worry about going over them, as long as within calories, and not consistently and significantly under on either one. (Personally, I also have a minimum I want for servings of veggies/fruits, but that's just a personal thing. When I do that, fiber and micros pretty much take care of themselves.)

With the fats, if one wants to be detailed, it's good to get some mono/polyunsaturated fats in the mix, not get too much sat fat all the time; maybe consider omega-3/omega-6 balance. But that's details.

Carbs are more individual: Some people find that if they eat "too many" it increases their cravings/appetite. Some people find that if they eat "too few" it decreases their energy level. People can experiment, but it doesn't matter for weight loss what the answer is. (I ignore them, let them fall where they may, which tends to be in the high 40s percents of calories - couple of hundred grams in maintenance.)

So, if you have calories left, but are short on protein or fats (by a significant fraction), maybe it makes sense to top those up with a snack. If you go over the other one when you do so, no big deal.

If you've got the calories to spare, got in a reasonable amount of protein, fats, and veggies/fruits (or micros/fiber if you prefer to look at it that way), there's really no reason IMO not to have whatever you think sounds tasty, even less nutrient-dense treat foods, as long as it's not something that's literally poisonous, an allergen for you, or contraindicated by some health condition or medication that applies to you.

That said:

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