Eating late at night, if you are on diet, can be bad for you. This also depends on the fact which food you decide to consume in those late hours. The more caloric the food is, the harder it will be for your body to absorb it, and you will end up with ruining your diet.
But sometimes, it is better to eat something late night than to go to bed hungry. If you go to sleep feeling hungry, the result in the morning will be, more caloric and fatty food cravings as well as sugar craving.
So from all the different foods out there, which ones are acceptable, and are oranges one of them. In this article we will find out the answer to this question.
Nutritional information and beneficial effects
This tasty fruit is not only pleasant for our taste buds but it is also good for our health. It belongs to the category of citrus fruits and it only grows in the warmer parts of our planet. We recognize it because of the bright orange skin, and slightly bumpy peel. But oranges are not only beautiful to look at, and tasty when we eat them, they are also very healthy.
Oranges contain Phytonutrients, which help our body to detoxicate and release all the bad toxins out of our body. Other components in oranges, such as herperidin, help to resolve any inflammation in our body, and ease of symptoms of fly for example.
Packed with vitamin C, oranges like lemons, are strongly recommended for anyone who is struggling with inflammation, and infections. Vitamin C protects our cells from both sides, and reduces the risk of colon cancer. He also prevents the free radicals from acting out, and causing more trouble with inflammation. This vitamin stops cholesterol from oxidation, so it is very beneficial for weight loss as well.
The special combination of components in oranges help to digest vitamin C more easily. This will protect our heart and our blood vessels. Citrus fruits are very beneficial for our cardiovascular health. Many studies have been conducted, and most of them prove that citrus fruits, along with oranges, contain a lot of potassium and folate which lower the blood pressure and also reduce risks of cardiovascular disease.
Just like lemons, oranges contain limonin. These components of citrus fruits help to lower the risk of cancer in the mouth, lung and breast areas of our body.
Some case studies even showed that oranges, and their beneficial compounds, help to lower cholesterol as good as Statin medications. The best part of it is that there is are no side effects to this natural remedy.
Since they contain a lot of fiber, oranges are very nutritional and can be used as a snack between meals. They will provide enough energy, due to fiber amount, and also keep us healthy. Fibers in oranges collect cancer cells and this is why they are extremely healthy.
Oranges also contain calcium, copper and many other beneficial components. These components help to cure kidney disease and ulcers. Rheumatoid arthritis and respiratory problems can be treated with these beneficial ingredients.
Eating oranges at night
When we are on diet, and also when we are not, healthy and low calorie foods should be eaten. Oranges are one of them. They are good source of vitamins and other nutrients that will help you feel full and also healthy for the long run.
It is recommended to consume about 200 calorie snack late at night, so don’t go overboard if you are combining oranges with other snacks. An average orange has about 70 calories, so they are a safe option for a late night meal.
The only problem with this fruit is that it contains a lot of sugar. This is a natural sugar, or fructose, so if you have problems with blood sugar level you should probably try something else. Also, if you are struggling with weight and if you are on a low carb diet, oranges are not a good idea. They contain a lot of carbohydrates so try eating carb free foods. If you are sensitive to acidic foods they are not recommended.
Besides these reasons, oranges are a perfectly good idea before bed, and nothing bad or harmful is going to happen to you. If they don’t fill you up, try combining them with some yogurt or perhaps almonds, and this will be just enough before bed. Because of the cholesterol lowering effect, oranges can even help you lose weight while sleeping, so definitely grab one if you are feeling peckish.
Other before-bed snacks
To satisfy your hunger you can try eating string cheese. This snack only contains about 70 calories, and because of the tryptophan you will feel sleepy very fast.
Cereals can also be helpful with fighting late night hunger, and again if use milk with them, sleep will not be a problem.
Greek yogurt is always a good idea, and you can use it as a snack during the whole day. If you don’t suffer from indigestion this will be a perfect solution for a late night sleep.
Turkey meat as a snack can also be a solution. Because it is categorized as a low fat meat, it is a perfect snack for late night hunger.
Other fruit options are apples. They can be combined with peanut butter (but only a small amount), and be used as a late night snack. This goes out for bananas as well. Their beneficial nutrients will not only keep you healthy, but also they will help you to feel sleepy. Just like milk bananas contain tryptophan which regulates sleep and sleeping routines.
Overall, oranges are a very good solution for late night snacking. They can be used on their own, or as a side fruit with something else. Since they are low calorie foods, there is no real danger in packing additional pounds.
Beneficial nutrients will make your body stronger, and healthier, so this is why they are recommended as well. If you are struggling with pounds, and if you are on a low carb diet, then avoid eating oranges. Their natural sugar will not go too well with your diet. So, include oranges as a late night snack, or as a snack during the day. They will protect your cardiovascular health, keep your kidneys healthy and help with digestive problems.
Since there are a lot of case studies about helpful benefits of oranges, they are a great option so try to include them in your diet as much as you can. In the end, it is important that everything you consume has a beneficial and good effect on your health.
