Most dieters believe that anything you eat in the hours right before going to sleep goes directly to body fat stores.
Also, it is believed that almost all foods are bad to eat at night. Eating at night may disturb your sleep, cause digestive and some other problems during the night. But, there are also foods that may be very beneficial for you, even if you eat them right before bed. You just have to make the right choice before sleep time. Have in mind that your metabolism never takes a break, even overnight.
As we have already said, there are foods that you can eat before bed without feeling guilty. These foods will fuel your muscles, keep your hunger levels low and also regulate your blood sugar levels. Some of the foods that are good to eat before bed are salmon, low-fat cheese with raw veggies, Greek yogurt with flaxseeds and, of course, cottage cheese.
More about Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a dairy product that is rich in protein and low in carbohydrates. Like other types of dairy products, cottage cheese is rich in fat but today there are also low-fat varieties of cottage cheese. It is known that cottage cheese is healthy but have you heard that many people eat it before bed? It is a popular practice among most bodybuilders and strength-training athletes.
Also, this practice can be very beneficial for dieters. In this article we will tell you what are the health benefits of eating cottage cheese before bed. If cottage cheese is already a part of your regular diet, this article will be very interesting for you.
After reading this article, you may want to try eating cottage cheese before going to sleep.
Is It Good To Eat Cottage Cheese Before Bed?
If you love eating cottage cheese before going to bed, then we have good news for you. Cottage cheese can help you sleep better. It contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps you have a sound sleep and prevents anxiety and depression.
Although most cheese products are not considered diet foods, cottage cheese is different and it can be a part of a healthy and balanced diet, even if you consume it at night. If you are a bodybuilder or a strength-training athlete, you will have many benefits of eating cottage cheese.
Health Benefits of Eating Cottage Cheese Before Bed
Cottage Cheese Improves Satiety. If you want to lose weight, cottage cheese is a great option for you. Due to the high level of satiety and the slow digestion, cottage cheese will keep you from getting hungry over night. It can control your appetite and it makes you feel full for a longer period of time. Cottage cheese contains casein, protein that is ingested more slowly than other types of proteins. Also, many studies have shown that casein is more filling than some other types of protein. If you eat cottage cheese at night, it will prevent your hunger pangs during the night.
Cottage Cheese Increases Growth Hormone Output. Cottage cheese is a great choice for increasing growth hormone output because it is high in protein and it has minimal carbohydrates. Studies have shown that the consumption of protein alone promotes an increase in growth hormone levels. On the other side, pairing protein with carbohydrates may inhibit growth hormone output. As we have already said, cottage cheese is rich in protein and it can significantly increase growth hormone levels in the body. It is known that increased levels of growth hormone are especially beneficial for dieters and all those who want to gain muscles. A research published in 2009 announced that the hormone promotes fat loss and muscle gain.
Cottage Cheese Reduces the Risk of Breast Cancer. It is known that cottage cheese is an excellent source of vitamin D and calcium, so it can reduce the risk of breast cancer. It is especially beneficial for post-menopausal women, whose calcium levels decrease quickly.
Cottage Cheese Controls Anxiety and Prevents Stroke. Cottage cheese is also rich in potassium, which is very important for cardiovascular health. Potassium can regulate blood pressure and it can also prevent strokes. Potassium is known as a very important component in the brain and muscle activities. This mineral may prevent muscle cramps and reduce the level of anxiety and stress.
Cottage Cheese Increases the Magnesium Level in The Body. Cottage cheese is rich in magnesium, which is very important for our health. It is known that magnesium improves biochemical reactions and reduces the risk of many diseases. Magnesium helps maintain nerve and muscle functioning and it also boosts your immune system. Due to its high magnesium content, cottage cheese also regulates blood sugar levels in the body and prevents heart attack, constipation, migraine and some psychiatric disorders.
Cottage Cheese Improves Weight and Fat Loss. It is known that diets rich in protein are beneficial for weight and fat loss. But, the type of protein that you consume is also very important. You can get proteins from meat, eggs, some types of vegetables, dairy products, etc. Studies have shown that cottage cheese, as well as other dairy products, is the best option for fat loss.
Cottage Cheese Boosts Your Metabolism. Cottage cheese may also boost your metabolism, which will help you burn more calories and lose weight more quickly. If you eat cottage cheese before bed, it will help you burn calories even when you are sleeping.
Cottage Cheese Increases Muscle Gain. We have said that cottage cheese is rich in protein. Naturally, the protein provides all amino acids that your body needs to build muscle and other tissue. Cottage cheese is preferable to other protein sources. If you eat cottage cheese and other dairy products, you will experience more muscle gain. Also, cottage cheese is very rich in calcium, which promotes testosterone levels and it is known that testosterone may help in muscle gain. As you can see, cottage cheese is an excellent dairy choice if you want to increase your muscle gain.
Cottage Cheese Is Beneficial For Pregnant Women. Cottage cheese is also very beneficial for pregnant women. It contains a lot of nutrients that pregnant women need, such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
How Much Cottage Cheese Should You Eat?
These are some of the health benefits of eating cottage cheese before going to bed. As we have mentioned, cottage cheese is high in fat, so you should eat it in moderation. It is recommended to choose low-fat or non-fat varieties of cottage cheese. Have in mind that high-fat dairy products are full of saturated fat which may clog arteries and increase the risk of high cholesterol. Low-fat varieties of cottage cheese have almost the same effects as a high-fat variety. Additionally, they will help you control your caloric intake and lose weight.
You can also eat natural peanut butter in combination with cottage cheese, but you should take not more than one tablespoon of butter, in order to avoid heavy calories. If you eat commercially made cottage cheese it may be high in sodium, which can have a negative impact on your heart and kidneys. It is necessary to limit the intake of sodium, in order to keep your blood pressure in check.
You should eat a variety of foods every day. It is necessary to control your caloric intake if you want to stay healthy or to lose weight. You should choose vegetables, fruits, complex carbohydrates, lean meats and of course cottage cheese. A piece of cottage cheese at night will help you a lot if you want to lose weight and gain muscles. You should always check the label on the cottage cheese in order to determine how much cheese is necessary for one serving. You can use your measuring cup and place your serving in a bowl.
Summary
As you have seen in this article, cottage cheese is an excellent option if you are hungry at night. This cheese is packed with protein and it contains only a small amount of carbs. Cottage cheese has many health benefits and it is especially recommended to eat this cheese before bed. It will provide you better sleep and many other benefits.
Although it is very healthy to eat cottage cheese before bed, you should take in consideration that it is high in sodium and cholesterol, so you should eat this cheese in moderation. As we have already said, you can choose some low-fat varieties of cottage cheese as well.