Snacking can be a major obstacle for people who want to lose weight if they tend to reach for highly processed, moreish foods that contain high levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar.
However, snacks don't have to hinder your weight loss goals and can actually be incredibly nutritious if you choose the right ingredients. Hot tea with nut butter, chopped-up veggies and salsa, and homemade protein shakes are all great options, according to an expert.
A doctor also recommended three snacks for fast weight loss if you're feeling peckish between meals.
Jess Gouthro from Live Lean TV shared the "very best" weight-loss-friendly snacks for slimmers who feel peckish at night. These are "super low-calorie" and "healthy" snacks that "will not destroy your progress".
Speaking about her nutritious snack ideas, she said: "If you try all of these snacks, alternating them one night after the next, you're going to feel slimmer in just one week."
The expert recommended a snack of hot tea with a tablespoon of peanut butter if you're "craving creamy or salty foods".
The nut butter - be this peanut, macadamia or Brazil nut - should add around 100 extra calories.
But the expert did provide a warning: "You do want to be careful about the portion size because two tablespoons will be around 200 calories and three tablespoons will be around 300 - it can add up fast."
As for what tea to go for, Jess recommended a herbal tea to help you get a better night's sleep. Indeed, the experts at NutraTea said: "Many act as natural, mild sedatives, promoting relaxation and sleep.
"Herbs like chamomile, lemon balm, lavender, and passionflower all contain active compounds that bind to receptors in our brains and affect the release of various neurotransmitters, making us feel ready to sleep."
If you do not feel that this drink will satiate you, the fitness whizz suggested pairing this with one medium-sized green apple (around 100 calories).
She advised: "You want to keep all your night-time snacks definitely under 200 calories."
To satisfy a craving for something "spicy, salty and crunchy", slice up celery and zucchini and dip it in some tomato salsa.
The same night-time snack can be made with cucumber and carrot sticks. Crunchy veggies are a great alternative to processed crisps.
The expert continued: "Celery is so cleansing for you and it's a great detox food. If you eat this at night, you're going to wake up feeling slimmer."
Celery is very low-calorie and high in water and fibre. When eaten in its whole form, it can make snackers feel fuller.
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Finally, the expert advised whipping up a protein shake made with water, ice and whey protein. She said: "You don't have to add anything else - it still comes out creamy and delicious.
"It's very satiating because it's high in protein and has essentially zero carbohydrates and zero fat - it's the easiest way possible to get that extra boost of protein without adding anything else."
To make this snack, slimmers can chuck ice into a blender, followed by water and protein powder, then blend. For an ice cream-like consistency, add more ice. For a little flavour - "and extra fat blasting power" - add a dash of cinnamon.
The expert explained that cinnamon helps to manage your insulin levels and assists with weight loss.
There are some other after-dinner treats slimmers should stay well away from, however. Slimmers have been told to avoid a high-calorie treat that will "get you in trouble quickly".
