Protein of any sort is always a good bedtime snack choice.
This is especially true if you're trying to gain muscle or at least retain it while losing body fat, and is the reason why bodybuilders will often have a Casein shake or cottage cheese before bedtime.
One study showed that consuming a low-calorie carbohydrate or protein. View Source snack 30 minutes before sleep helped boost metabolism in the morning. You can choose from a variety of healthy snacks such as fruit, nuts, seeds, and oatmeal that require minimal preparation.
“If you are hungry, you should eat something, regardless of the time of day,” says Aimee Takamura, registered dietitian and director of wellness and sustainability at Restaurant Associates. “The act of eating late at night does not affect metabolism or lead to many of the adverse effects you may have heard of.
Protein powders — especially casein — and low-fat dairy products (which are naturally high in casein) are great late-night snack choices. Research shows that consuming casein protein before bed is a better choice than whey and other popular picks, as it's digested and absorbed by the bloodstream at a slower rate.
If you are trying to lose weight, drinking a protein shake before bed helps you burn calories even as you sleep. Drinking a protein shake not only promotes MPS, but it also pushes your metabolism into overactivity. Your body needs more energy to absorb and digest the protein you washed down before sleeping.
Eating a small amount of peanut butter as part of a healthy snack before bed may help improve sleep quality and prevent overeating and weight gain the following day. Peanut butter is a nutrient-dense, high-calorie food containing vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber.
Animal sources, such as beef, chicken, tuna, poultry, pork, fish, and are high in protein. On the other hand, major plant sources of protein include nuts and seeds, vegetables like peas, spinach, potatoes, whole grains and legumes.
That's why the Healthy Eating Plate encourages choosing healthy protein foods. Choose fish, poultry, beans, and nuts; limit red meat and cheese; avoid bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats.
Green peas are at the top of the list of the most protein-filled vegetables. Technically, they're legumes, but many of us consider them vegetables because of their bright green color and delicate flavor. You might be surprised by their protein content, though: a cup of green peas contains about 8 grams of protein.
