Tropical Weight Loss
Photo by Dmitriy Ganin Pexels Logo Photo: Dmitriy Ganin

What should I eat to melt fat before bed?

High fiber cereal Carbs in general are good for sleep, and fiber-rich whole grain cereals will keep you fill while melting fat; studies have shown that fiber intake is associated with lower body weight. Enjoy with a cup of low-fat milk for the extra dose of tryptophan, calcium, and vitamin D.

What nose makes you look younger?
What nose makes you look younger?

A youthful looking nose should have the following features: Nasal tip points up slightly. Smooth and refined nasal bridge. The right amount of...

Read More »
Does Ozempic burn fat or muscle?
Does Ozempic burn fat or muscle?

Lost in the current hype over Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonist weight loss medicines, unfortunately, is an alarmingly consistent finding: Much of...

Read More »

By Christina Stiehl

Shed those unwanted pounds while you get your beauty sleep.

It’s a conundrum most people face when they’re trying to eat healthy: You’re starving right before bed, but you don’t want to eat something that will derail your diet. Turns out, going to bed hungry could actually hurt your weight-loss efforts. A rumbling tummy means an unrestful sleep, and a likelihood that you’ll wake up so starving, you’ll make unhealthy breakfast choices. Plus, sleeping is an essential key to slimming down; researchers have found that sleeping five or less hours a night increases your chances of gaining weight! Making matters worse, sleep deprivation stimulates the hormones that regulate hunger, meaning you crave high-calorie junk food the next day. It’s better to get a good night’s rest and go to bed on a satisfied stomach. So check out Eat This, Not That!'s favorite bedtime foods that will help you fall asleep faster, build lean protein while you snooze, or keep you satisfied all night long to avoid those morning hunger pangs. And to discover even more stomach-slimming tips, don't miss these 55 Best Ways to Boost Your Metabolism!

1. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is like the MVP of yogurts, thanks to its high protein and low sugar content (in unsweetened varieties). The protein is filling and can help you build lean muscle while you snooze. A study published in the American Journal of Physiology found that eating protein right before you sleep stimulates overnight protein synthesis, which repairs and helps grow muscle. Since lean protein helps your body burn fat, getting enough of the macronutrient is key for weight loss

2. Cherries

Cherries not only satisfy your post-dinner sweet tooth; they can help you get better shut-eye, too. Cherries are a natural source of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. Have a bowl or a glass of tart cherry juice before bed; a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that adults who drank tart cherry juice noticed improvements in sleep quality and duration. Plus, cherries are chock-full of antioxidants, which can also help fight inflammation and move the scale.

Story continues

3. Peanut butter on whole grain bread

Peanut butter toast is a delicious and filling snack any time of day, but especially before bed. This peanut butter contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps put you to sleep, and the B vitamins in whole grain bread will help you absorb it. Plus, there’s a reason peanut butter is one of our 40 Best Fat Burning Foods; it’s a great source of plant-based protein to help you build muscle, and healthy monounsaturated fats to keep you full and blast belly fat.

4. Protein shake

What can turmeric cure?
What can turmeric cure?

Turmeric has been used as a medicine for centuries to treat wounds, infections, colds, and liver disease. Studies have shown that curcumin, a...

Read More »
How noticeable is losing 30 pounds?
How noticeable is losing 30 pounds?

After shedding the pounds, you might notice a smaller waist or a thinner face before the fat melts away from other stubborn areas. But one thing's...

Read More »

If you’re one of those people who prefers to hit the gym in the evening, recovering with a protein shake can help you build muscle while you catch your Zzzs. Research suggests eating protein before bed helps your muscles better utilize the amino acids for protein synthesis, and building lean muscle is key to getting rid of fat. To make a healthy concoction, check out our 23 Best Protein Shake Recipes

5. Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is almost the perfect bedtime snack. It’s rich in casein protein, a slow-releasing protein that keeps you full overnight and will help you repair muscles while you get your beauty rest. Plus, it contains the sleep-inducing tryptophan to help you fall asleep.

6. Turkey

There’s a reason you want to take a nap after Thanksgiving dinner; the tryptophan in turkey makes you sleepy. So it makes for the perfect pre-bed snack, especially because the protein will help you build muscle overnight. Enjoy a couple slices on whole wheat bread or crackers; the fiber will keep you satisfied all night, and the B vitamins will help your body absorb the tryptophan.

7. Banana

Did you know bananas also have tryptophan? The amino acid will help put you to sleep quicker, and the fiber will keep you satisfied. At about 100 calories each, this sweet fruit will help squash any sugar cravings you might have after dinner. Try freezing a banana (unpeeled, of course), and mash it up with a fork to create a tasty ice cream-like treat.

8. Chocolate milk

Chocolate milk may seem like a sweet indulgence, but it’s actually an ideal weight-loss beverage. There’s a reason it’s one of our 26 Most Overlooked Ways to Lose Weight. The calcium can help melt belly fat; researchers in Nebraska found that people who consumed 1,000 mg more of calcium lost 18 pounds of flab, and the important nutrient gets absorbed better thanks to milk’s vitamin D. The protein content is filling, and it can be especially helpful if you’re an evening exerciser: research suggests that low-fat chocolate milk is a good beverage to help you recover after a sweat sesh. And the old wives’ tale is true: a glass of milk makes people sleepy, thanks to the tryptophan. Just be sure to choose a brand that doesn’t have too much added sugar or use high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient.

9. Kefir

How long does it take to lose 20 pounds?
How long does it take to lose 20 pounds?

That burns an extra 3,500 calories per week. Since there are about 3,500 calories in one pound, it would take you one week to lose one pound and 20...

Read More »
How do fat burning patches work?
How do fat burning patches work?

Some weight loss patches combine several ingredients that may help people lose weight. The patches supposedly work by releasing active ingredients...

Read More »

The key to losing weight could be in your gut -- literally. More and more research is pointing to the relationship between your gut bacteria and weight. Kefir, a fermented milk product, is packed with probiotics to keep your gut bacteria happy and de-bloat your stomach. Since it’s dairy, it also has tryptophan to help you fall asleep and slimming calcium.

10. Almonds

If you’re craving something salty, munch on some almonds. At 5 grams of protein a serving, they’ll help you repair muscle overnight, and the fiber will keep you satisfied. Plus, almonds are a fat-burning superfood: One study found that overweight adults who ate ¼ cup of almonds for 6 months had a 62 percent reduction in weight and BMI.

11. High fiber cereal

End your day the way it started: with a bowl of cereal. Carbs in general are good for sleep, and fiber-rich whole grain cereals will keep you fill while melting fat; studies have shown that fiber intake is associated with lower body weight. Enjoy with a cup of low-fat milk for the extra dose of tryptophan, calcium, and vitamin D. Choose one of these 11 Best Brand Name Cereals for Weight Loss.

12. String cheese

Sure, string cheese is processed, but it makes for a low-calorie satisfying snack. One serving has a satiating combo of fat and protein at just around 80 calories a pop. Plus, it contains a decent dose of tryptophan; part-skim mozzarella, for example, has more than 600 mg of the drowsy-inducing amino acid. Discover more belly-melting secrets with these 50 Best Weight Loss Tips.

MORE FROM EAT THIS, NOT THAT!

Flatten your belly—in just 30 seconds!

That’s all the time it takes to blend up a Zero Belly Smoothie—a unique mix of super nutrients that will flatten your gut, boost your metabolism, heal your digestive system, and turn off your fat genes for good. Buy Zero Belly Smoothies today!

Why am I not losing weight on the scale?
Why am I not losing weight on the scale?

Do you ever wonder why the number on the scale doesn't move after you've made many changes to your diet and lifestyle? When the scale doesn't move,...

Read More »
What is the best day of the week to take Ozempic?
What is the best day of the week to take Ozempic?

You should administer your Ozempic injection on the same day each week. However, you can give the injection at any time of day, with or without...

Read More »
Why take fat burners on empty stomach?
Why take fat burners on empty stomach?

The idea behind why people tell you that you should take fat burners on an empty stomach is similar. When your body doesn't have a bunch of food to...

Read More »
Does Sierra Mist keep you awake?
Does Sierra Mist keep you awake?

The simple answer to this question is no, Sierra Mist does not contain caffeine. The primary ingredients in Sierra Mist are carbonated water, high...

Read More »