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5 Easy Late Night Snacks for Teens You Can Feel Good About

If you’re a parent of a teen, you know you need some healthy and easy late night snacks for the evening routine. Here are 5 easy midnight snacks you can feel good about.

As the mom of teens (and now young adults), I know that snacking can be a bone of contention with your teen.

Nearly every night, my 18 year old son comes downstairs for a pre-bedtime snack.

And if I’m to be honest, it’s not always a “healthy snack.”

In this article, you’ll learn:

  • Why teens eat late at night
  • The potential consequences of late night snacking
  • Five easy late night snacks you and your teen will love
Late night snacks for teens that are easy and healthy!

Why Do Teens Eat Late at Night?

The number one reason for late night snacking is hunger. You and I know that teenagers are growing at a rapid pace due to the growth spurt.  

And all this growth produces an uptick in appetite.

The second reason is that teens may not be eating enough during the day.

It’s not uncommon for teens to skip breakfast, light-load on lunch (especially girls), which can encourage hunger later in the day. And, hence, late night snacking.

Midnight snacks can be part of an eating habit that has developed over time.

For example, if your teen does homework in his room, taking a break may involve changing the scenery by coming downstairs to the kitchen, and grabbing something to eat.

Over time, this can be the habit or routine.

Last, snacking at night can be due to boredom.

Contrary to eating because one is hungry, eating out of boredom or emotions, also known as Eating in the Absence of Hunger, is associated with being disconnected to one’s appetite cues and overeating.

Related: Help! My Teen Can’t Stop Eating Sugar

Night-Time Snacking: What are the Consequences?

Snacking in the evening can have a few consequences. The most recognizable one is unwanted weight gain.

Eating late at night, and then going to bed, doesn’t give the body a chance to metabolize (or burn) the calories that were consumed.

If the snacks contribute more energy than the body needs, over time, weight gain can happen.

Obviously, this can be a useful strategy for the skinny kid who needs to gain weight. But, also problematic someone who is in a healthy place.

Another consequence that I can see is the decline in the quality of the diet.

This can happen when snack foods include sweets or treats which may add extra added sugar and fat to the overall diet.

So, what your teen chooses to snack on, and how much he eats, can make late night snacks problematic or a healthy addition to his diet.

Choose Easy Midnight Snacks that are Healthy

There are several healthy snack foods when the late night munchies come calling.

I’ve outlined some that I have around my house, but this is not a an exhaustive list.

Use the following rules of thumb when deciding what to have on hand for your teen:

  1. Snacks are nutrient-rich (has noticeable quality and quantity of nutrients).
  2. The higher the calorie content of the snack, the more attention to proper portion sizes.
  3. They’re easy to grab and eat.
5 Healthy Supermarket Popsicles

5 Healthy Late Night Snacks for Teens

Here are my favorite snacks to have on hand:

1. Popcorn

Pop on the stovetop or in the microwave. A crunchy, salty and satisfying snack!

Want to know what is the healthiest popcorn? I’ve reviewed 9 microwave popcorn brands to help you!

2. All-fruit popsicles

I like to munch on these myself in the evenings when I get a hankering to snack.

All-fruit popsicles tend to be low in calories, sweet and slow to eat.

Want to add them to your shopping list?

I’ve reviewed the healthiest popsicles in the grocery store to guide your selection.

small bowl of Rice Chex cereal with milk -- in healthy late night snacks for teens

3. Low sugar cereal with milk

There’s nothing like a bowl of cereal before going to bed.

You can count on it being nutritious as long as you target the low sugar versions.

Here are 27 of the best cereals for kids (and there’s a list you can print).

4. Frozen fruit

Grapes, cherries and mango are all delicious snacks, especially when they’re frozen.

I keep a stock of bagged frozen fruit from the grocery store in my freezer, or I’ve frozen trays of raspberries or green seedless grapes.

They’re a great option for a healthy late night snack.

5. Homemade soda

I know some teens want a flavorful drink, and are perfectly satisfied with sipping their snack.

But opting for a sugary soda late at night isn’t a good idea.

Instead, try making a healthier version of soda by mixing 100% fruit juice with sparkling water or club soda.

Need more help with your child’s snacking? Check out this resource!

19 More Late Night Snack Ideas

Late night food doesn’t have to be ice cream or pizza. There are other options that you may already have on hand:

  • Dried fruit or veggie chips
  • A handful of nuts
  • Sliced apple or banana with a dollop of nut butter
  • Fresh fruit with a spoonful of yogurt
  • Toaster waffle
  • Ants on a Log (celery with cream cheese and raisins)
  • Edamame
  • Cheese and crackers
  • Turkey and Cheese roll up
  • Avocado toast
  • Cheese toast
  • Dry cereal
  • Hummus and carrots
  • Cottage cheese and tomatoes
  • Mixture of chocolate chips and peanuts
  • Dark chocolate
  • Strawberries (or other berries) and whipped cream
  • Pretzels
  • Brownie in a Mug

Are Sweet Snacks Okay as a Midnight Snack?

If you’re eating ice cream and brownies every night when you get the munchies, then sweet snacks may have a negative impact on your waistline.

However, sweet snacks at midnight every now and then might be alright. You’ll have to look at the big picture of your overall diet – what you eat day in and day out.

Remember, it’s all about food balance, not one food.

Is Eating Late Night Food a Good Idea?

Some experts warn against eating before bed because it can contribute to insulin resistance and encourage more body fat.

Also, late night eaters tend to eat more food and make poor food decisions.

Others, however, extol the benefits of having nutrients on board when sleeping, especially for muscle repair and growth.

A recent study from the American Heart Association found that unless you’re eating more calories, late night eating doesn’t cause upticks in body weight.

Need More Help with Healthy Snacks for Teens?

Check out my free list of 85 snacks for teens. Or read about 51 filling snacks and get more inspiration and variety into your teen’s snacks!

And visit my shop on The Nourished Child, where you can access workshops, classes and guidebooks to help you nourish your teen.

What’s your teen’s favorite snack?

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Jill Castle, MS, RD

I like empowering parents to help their children and teens thrive at every size with realistic advice centered on healthful habits around food, feeding, nutrition and health behaviors. As a pediatric dietitian and author, my goal is to share strategies and realistic advice to help you raise a healthy and happy child through my articles and podcast.