If you are constantly hungry before bed, you may want to try adding more high-protein dinners to your recipe rotation. Whether you prefer to eat plant-based meals or lean towards hearty egg or meat dishes, we promise there are tons of satisfying choices — and making them doesn’t have to take either. too much time.
Protein is very helpful in keeping you full because it digests more slowly than other macronutrients like carbohydrates, Cara Harbstreet, MS, RD, LD, a Kansas City-based registered dietitian and founder of Street Smart Nutrition, tells SELF. It also plays a key role in blood clotting, immune system response and muscle repair, as SELF previously reported. And it can be especially helpful in your bedtime routine: It can help stabilize your blood sugar at night, which can help guard against diabetes in the long run, says Harbstreet.
Although exact protein recipes depend on individual factors such as activity level and age, aiming for around 20 to 30 grams of protein for dinner is a good benchmark, says Harbstreet. Remember, it’s not all about filling your plate with protein-rich foods. Balance is important, so consider all macronutrients (carbs, fat, and protein) to get the heartiest bites, says Harbstreet. If you want an even more satisfying meal, add some avocado to your chicken salad, add olive oil to your dressing, or simmer lentils or beans in your soup. By combining all of these nutrients, you’ll end up feeling satisfied (not hungry) when you get ready for bed.
To spice up your evening routine, we’ve rounded up 31 protein-rich, hearty, easy-to-prepare, and delicious dinners. From chicken and corn chowder to quinoa stuffed peppers, each idea listed below contains at least 20 grams of protein. This way you can go to bed satisfied.
