No matter how delicious the dinner is, most of us still crave something satisfying right before going to bed. Scrolling through videos of street foods and lip-smacking recipes often cause hunger pangs in the middle of the night. As a result, we find ourselves sneaking into the kitchen to grab a pack of biscuits or stealthily opening the refrigerator to get the leftover slice of pizza. Midnight munching is usually considered bad for health. But, if you choose the right kind of food to eat before bed, then the result can be exactly the opposite, especially for those with health issues like thyroid.
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According to nutritionist Lovneet Batra, having the right bedtime routine can help you sleep tight, while opting for the right foods before bed can effectively improve thyroid health. In her latest Instagram Reel, she shares some quick food options that you can eat during bedtime to keep your thyroid levels in check. Take a look.
Here're 4 Nutritionist-Approved Bedtime Food Options For Thyroid Health:
1. Soaked Cashew Nuts
The nutritionist suggests that those suffering from thyroid can choose to eat four to five soaked cashews at night. These nuts, she says, contain mineral called selenium, which plays a crucial role in regulating thyroid levels in the body. This further protects the thyroid tissues against oxidative stress, and makes sure that the thyroid is functioning normally.
2. Coconut
You can also snack on some pieces of coconut if you want to improve your thyroid health. Coconut not only tastes great, but is loaded with medium-chain fatty acids which increase metabolism and boost our energy levels. Coconut can also help regulate blood sugar levels, which can in turn improve your condition.
3. Soaked Chia Seeds
Another food to add to your list of late-night snacks is chia seeds. The nutritionist suggests taking one teaspoon of soaked chai seeds as you prepare to call it a day. They have high content of omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce inflammation in the thyroid gland (especially, in conditions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, De Quervain's thyroiditis, and other forms of thyroiditis).
4. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
If you are aiming to improve your thyroid health, then keep a small jar of roasted pumpkin seeds on your bed-side table. Chomping a tablespoon of these seeds daily during bedtime may give you the amount of zinc, which is required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Pumpkin seeds also include amino acid called tryptophan, which helps promote good sleep. In addition, other minerals like selenium, copper, and zinc in pumpkin seeds make it a great food to eat for good sleep.
Include these healthy food ingredients in your meal and enjoy good health!