Is it possible to eat sauerkraut at night and how to do it correctly
A proper diet plays an important role in ensuring that a person does not feel discomfort due to hunger or overeating. A simple product like sauerkraut helps you get full quickly and reduce your appetite. It normalizes intestinal microflora and promotes proper digestion. For greater benefit, it is important to know when and in what quantity it is better to eat a snack, whether it can be eaten at night and what to combine it with.
Is it possible to eat sauerkraut at night?
When creating a menu and distributing meals, it is important to take into account the balance of nutrients, calorie content of foods, digestibility and their combination with each other. Sauerkraut has a low calorie content (on average 27 kcal per 100 g), contains virtually no fat (0.1 g), but quickly fills you up. The body spends a lot of energy on its digestion. If there are no contraindications, the dish is allowed to be eaten at any time without restrictions.
Important! It is better to organize your last meal 1.5–2 hours before bedtime. A later dinner or snack is undesirable, as it will provoke restless sleep and other disturbances in the functioning of the physiological systems of the body.
Benefits of sauerkraut at night
A snack eaten at night will satisfy your hunger without the risk of weight gain. Cabbage contains a lot of fiber and organic acids. Dietary fiber swells under the influence of gastric juice, fills the space and relieves hunger for a long time. Nutritionists recommend eating sauerkraut before any high-calorie food.
Other properties of fiber:
- used by beneficial intestinal bacteria for vital functions;
- activates metabolism;
- stimulates intestinal motility, thereby ensuring regular bowel movements;
- has adsorbing properties, cleanses of waste and toxins;
- reduces the load on the digestive organs;
- restores liver functions.
Sauerkraut also contains vitamins:
- A - antioxidant, slows down the aging process, increases the protection of mucous membranes, is important for the health of teeth and bones;
- group B - have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, reduce fear, anxiety and mental tension, improve sleep quality, support the functioning of the adrenal glands, participate in the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
- C - regulates oxidation-reduction processes, stimulates the production of collagen and steroid hormones, protects against infections, strengthens the immune system, accelerates tissue regeneration, activates the secretion of bile;
- E - supports normal activity of the gonads, tones and nourishes the skin, reduces blood glucose levels, which is especially important for people suffering from obesity and diabetes;
- N - normalizes the functioning of the stomach and intestines, reduces the level of bad cholesterol in the blood, prevents brittleness of hair and nails, and is important for the health of tendons;
- PP - strengthens blood vessels, increases the permeability of their walls, neutralizes swelling, normalizes microcirculation and metabolism.
Zinc and selenium as part of the product they support the normal functioning of the organs of the reproductive system and are responsible for sexual health. Phosphorus ensures mineralization of teeth and bone density.
Magnesium and potassium regulate blood pressure, which is especially important for people suffering from hypertension, improve neuromuscular transmission, and prevent the development of heart and vascular diseases.
Sauerkraut is an additional source of iron. With its deficiency, the immune system weakens, anemia develops, and the functioning of the digestive system is disrupted.
The vegetable has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, choleretic properties. Cabbage is recommended for people engaged in heavy physical, mental or emotional labor, as it increases endurance and ability to work, quickly restores the body, and strengthens the nervous system.
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Limitations and possible harm
Despite all the benefits, this product is not suitable for everyone. With frequent and excessive use, there is a risk of colic, increased gas formation, bloating, and a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. Negative symptoms are primarily felt by persons who have been diagnosed with peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum, gastritis, or colitis.
Excessive consumption of the product before bed can cause swelling of the body. To ferment cabbage, salt is used, which retains water in the body, leading to decreased bone density, increased blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
Important! An absolute contraindication is an allergy to the product.
People with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, low blood pressure, severe urolithiasis, severe kidney or liver failure should limit its amount in the diet.
Basic rules of use
As such, there is no standard for consuming cabbage. Here they focus on personal feelings, daily diet, and the presence of contraindications. On average, with a balanced diet, 200–400 g of cabbage per day is enough for an adult, and 2 times less for children.
For greater benefits, nutritionists recommend eating the product fresh, without extraneous spices and with a minimum amount of vegetable oil. This is due to the fact that any heat treatment reduces the beneficial properties of the dish, and salt and spices increase appetite, increasing the likelihood of extra centimeters appearing on the waist and hips.
Cabbage is included in any meal or used as a snack. It is added to borscht and other soups, served with meat, fish, poultry, and side dishes.
For reference. The beneficial properties of the dish directly depend on the quality of the vegetable. Ideally, for pickling, use white cabbage from your own harvest or grown in safe conditions without the use of pesticides.
To get in shape after periods of overeating, and to get rid of discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, spend a fasting day on sauerkraut. During the day, eat only snacks and drink plenty of liquids (green tea, still mineral water, unsweetened herbal infusions).
Without harm to health, unloading lasts 1-2 days. They get rid of 0.5–1 extra pounds per day. Weight loss mainly occurs due to the removal of excess fluid from the body, elimination of waste and toxins.
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Conclusion
Before going to bed, you are allowed to eat a little sauerkraut. Fiber saturates quickly and for a long time, reducing appetite.Consuming low-calorie snacks throughout the day increases stamina and performance, and ensures good health. Thanks to vitamins, micro- and macroelements, the dish is used as a preventive measure for various diseases.