Feeling hungry after dinner... How to enjoy a late-night snack without worrying about blood sugar levels

It is well known that late-night snacks are not good for health.

 

 

 

In particular, diabetic patients should avoid late-night snacking because it can raise blood sugar levels.

 

 

 

What should I do when I really can't hold it anymore?

 

 

 

I'm curious!

 

I am a woman in my 60s with diabetes. I eat dinner around 7 to 8 PM, and I start feeling hungry around 10 PM.

 

 

 

I'm eating cucumbers as a snack to satisfy my hunger, is that okay?

 

 

 

Q. Please recommend good foods for diabetic patients to eat at night.

 

 

 

<Advice_Jung Jae-won, Professor of Endocrinology at Chung-Ang University Hospital>

 

 

 

A. Vegetables rich in dietary fiber are good, and milk.

 

 

 

 

 

The Korean Diabetes Association recommends consuming snacks twice a day, between breakfast and lunch, and between lunch and dinner.

 

 

 

Late-night snacks after dinner are not recommended.

 

 

 

Consuming additional calories after dinner can lead to obesity and raise blood sugar levels.

 

 

 

In particular, insulin secretion decreases in the evening.

 

 

 

Eating late-night snacks at this time can lead to high blood sugar.

 

 

 

The autonomic nervous system is activated, interfering with deep sleep.

 

 

 

Eating late-night snacks just before falling asleep can lead to complications such as acid reflux and hyperlipidemia.

 

 

 

It's best not to eat late-night snacks.

 

 

 

It is important to eat three proper meals a day for this.

 

 

 

Eating a balanced meal at regular times helps hormones related to metabolism to be secreted regularly, which reduces blood sugar spikes and decreases late-night snack cravings.

 

 

 

However, it's not as easy as it sounds.

 

 

 

If quitting late-night snacks is too difficult, try gradually stopping by eating foods that put less strain on your blood sugar.

 

 

 

Foods rich in dietary fiber and low in calories are recommended.

 

 

 

The main ones are nuts, vegetables, and milk. You should never eat foods like chicken and ramen that are high in fats and carbohydrates.

 

 

 

When eating nuts, vegetables, or milk, chew slowly and multiple times to stimulate the satiety center.

 

 

 

You can feel full even after eating just a little, which helps reduce your intake.