What Fruits Should You Eat at Night to Lose Weight?

Evening and late night hunger can be detrimental to a weight loss plan and can often steer individuals in a direction that derails their efforts. While eating fruits at night isn't a weight loss guarantee, it can help curb your cravings for higher calories sweets.

There are no fruits that can be considered a magic bullet for weight loss. Weight loss occurs when there is a negative energy balance, meaning that more calories must be burned than consumed. However, fruit is a nutrient-dense snack, which means it contains more vitamins and minerals relative to its caloric content.

Many fruits can be excellent choices for late night snacks and can be paired with other nutrient-dense foods to prevent overeating at night.

When eating fruits at night, eat them in their whole form for the most health benefits. Apples make a great snack at any time of day, with only 95 calories in a medium apple, according to the USDA. A May 2015 study published in Nutrition Journal concluded that whole apple consumption is associated with a lower prevalence of obesity.

Another low-calorie fruit snack is berries. Eating 1 cup of strawberries will set you back roughly 50 calories, according to the USDA. Berries provide fiber, antioxidants and vitamin C. The fiber that apples and berries contain give a sense of fullness that will keep you satisfied.

Read more: Top 10 Healthiest Fruits and Vegetables

The vitamin C powerhouses of citrus, kiwi and melon are also low-calorie options for fruits at night for weight loss. According to the USDA, 1 cup of orange sections has about 85 calories and will give you 96 milligrams of vitamin C and a good boost of folate and potassium. One cup of kiwi slices can give you 132 milligrams of vitamin C for roughly 80 calories.

Melons such as watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are all high in water, which means they are typically high in volume and low in calories — making them an excellent choice on any weight loss plan. All three are low-calorie, nutrient-dense choices for late night snacking, and they will all satisfy a sweet tooth.

All fruit should be considered a good choice when needing a snack to settle hunger pangs at night. A December 2012 study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association concluded that increasing fruit consumption may lead to weight loss.

The USDA's ChooseMyPlate recommends two to four servings of fruit per day. If hunger kicks in at night, do a mental inventory of what you have eaten over the course of the day. If fruit intake has been low, your weight loss plan should include a serving of fruit as a snack at night.

Read more: Should Fruits & Vegetables Be Mixed Together?

Pairing your fruit with another healthy food is a great way to gain satiety in late night snacking. Adding 1 tablespoon of nut butter to an apple adds healthy fat and may help you feel satisfied. Greek yogurt with berries, a serving of low-fat cheese paired with an orange or a few whole wheat crackers alongside melon are also great options.

Always keep in mind that foods paired with fruit should be accounted for in your total caloric intake. Eating at night does not need to halt your weight loss efforts. Making smart choices, such as choosing a serving of fruit, can keep you on track.