What’s for dinner?

Do you ever go to bed hungry after thinking you've had a perfect day of eating? Do you wake up in the middle of the night wanting more? It happens. Let's face it. Sometimes you make a perfectly balanced, healthy meal, but if you've been a little extra active, or didn't get enough fiber at some point in the day, your body will just ask you for more.

The key to fixing this problem with nighttime munchies is typically by fixing dinner.

Grain Bowls

Carbs are not all bad. Read more, here. In fact, we really need them. Just a little at a time, but pretty often throughout the day. The trick is to keep your carbs high in fiber and from #allnatural sources. They'll provide you with more of a lasting energy that is more #carbcontrolled.

Lentil salad: A perfect example of a grain bowl, giving you a healthy dose of vegetables, some extra monounsaturated fats. Keep it vegan, or add cheese or shredded chicken for a nice protein punch.

Whole grains are so loaded with nutrients and protein that you can #govegan and you'd still be good on protein if you plan it right. Because each half-cup serving contains at least 5 grams of fiber and loads of protein, this food group is best to help fill you up and keep you satisfied. Goodbye, #midnightmunchies! Even if you just want an extra protein boost after a hard workout, adding whole grains to an already protein-packed meal is a great way to round out your dinner.

Grains provide not just fiber, but every half cup of these cooked natural grains will pack 4 grams of protein or more.

Best of all, they can be a really great way to vary your meals, adding style, flavor, and a cool cultural flair. Change your grains from quinoa and oats to barley, buckwheat, beans, or bulghur. There are loads of other healthy and often gluten free options of fava beans, corn, edamame, chickpeas, or freekeh (cracked green wheat).

Pass the Pasta, Please!

I love legume-based pastas, which can provide up to 25 grams of protein per 1-cup serving! That’s about the same amount of protein as about six eggs!

Thanks to new varieties made from protein-rich foods like edamame, lentils, and chickpeas, pasta doesn’t have to be a carb bomb.

I love to give my marinara sauce a nutritious makeover by topping my protein spaghetti with low-sugar tomato sauce, and I'll add extra fresh garlic and oregano or basil if I have it. Plus, I add a big salad on the side. This quick, healthy dinner is a staple in our house.

So try out some new grains! Give me a shout out if you need more direction.