- Strained (Greek-style) yogurt with berries is a top late-night snack recommended by dietitians.
- It’s rich in protein, fiber and nutrients that keep you full, steady your blood sugar and promote better sleep.
- Other ways to manage blood sugar include exercise, stress management and eating balanced meals.
You’ve already eaten dinner, but your stomach is lightly grumbling before bedtime. Choosing the right nighttime snack can mean the difference between restless sleep or waking up refreshed, since going to bed too hungry—or too full—can disrupt sleep and impact blood sugar balance.
“Late-night snacking often gets a bad reputation because it’s linked to mindless munching on less-healthy options,” says Kaitlin Hippley, M.Ed., RDN, LDN, CDCES. “But it can absolutely be part of a healthy plan—especially for blood sugar management.”
The key is finding a snack that’s satisfying without spiking your blood sugar, which can disrupt sleep. That’s where strained (Greek-style) yogurt with berries comes in—and it’s one of dietitians’ top picks for late-night snacking. We spoke with dietitians to explain why this simple combo is so effective for supporting healthy blood sugar levels.
Why Strained (Greek-style) Yogurt and Berries Is the Best Late-Night Snack
It Contains the Right Nutrients for Managing Blood Sugar
“Going to bed hungry or going to bed super full could both negatively impact sleep, so you want to find something that is a great mix of protein and fiber for staying power, satiation and blood sugar balance,” explains Jenna Werner, RD. That’s why strained (Greek-style) yogurt paired with berries makes an ideal nighttime option—it combines high-quality protein with fiber to slow digestion and prevent blood sugar spikes, adds Laura Burak, M.S., RD, CDN.
One cup of low-fat strained (Greek-style) yogurt provides nearly 25 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat and approximately 9 grams of carbohydrates, while a half-cup serving of raspberries delivers 4 grams of fiber. Together, they deliver lasting satiety and blood sugar control.,
It Provides Steady Energy
Blood sugar fluctuations can disrupt sleep. Casein—a protein found in dairy—digests slowly and releases amino acids gradually. Combined with the fiber from berries, it can help you feel satisfied longer and may reduce sleep-disrupting blood sugar dips, explains Burak., Over time, choosing balanced evening snacks like this can support more consistent sleep quality and curb late-night hunger.
It Supports Sleep
Strained (Greek-style) yogurt contains tryptophan, an amino acid the body uses to make serotonin and melatonin, both critical for regulating sleep, Burak explains. It’s also high in calcium, which supports the conversion of tryptophan into these sleep-promoting compounds. Interestingly, low intake of calcium from dairy has been linked to higher rates of insomnia, suggesting that this nutrient combination may help to reduce sleep disturbances.
Yogurt is also rich in magnesium, which helps to regulate neurotransmitter activity and calm the nervous system before bed. Studies have found that higher magnesium intake is also associated with better sleep quality and longer sleep duration, though more research is needed.
It’s Quick to Prepare
Strained (Greek-style) yogurt and berries is an excellent bedtime snack—it’s delicious, satisfying and convenient, setting you up for better sleep, says Werner.
It takes almost no time to prepare: just add a serving of strained (Greek-style) yogurt to a bowl, top it with fresh or frozen berries and you’ve got a late-night snack that will keep you full and your blood sugar steady.
More Snacks to Try for Better Blood Sugar
When looking for a snack for stable blood sugar, aim for a mix of complex carbohydrates, protein and/or healthy fats to help prevent dips, says Patricia Kolesa, M.S., RDN. Burak adds that keeping the snack light and simple can help avoid sleep interruptions. Here are a few great examples:
- Veggies with hummus or strained (Greek-style) yogurt dip
- Whole-wheat toast with nut butter
- Fruit (apples, pears, berries) with nut butter
- Cottage cheese and peaches
- Trail mix with nuts, dried fruit and dark chocolate
- A handful of nuts
- High-fiber cereal with milk
- Oatmeal with berries and walnuts
Other Tips for Supporting Balanced Blood Sugar
Diet and meal timing are not the only factors that influence blood sugar levels. Here aer some other strategies to try:
- Spread Carbs Evenly Throughout the Day. “Instead of restricting carbohydrates, then having them all at once, try spacing them with each meal and snack to slow the digestion and prevent spikes or crashes,” says Mary-Lauren Shelton Vise, RDN, LD, CEDS-C.
- Eat Consistently Throughout the Day. “Skipping meals or going long periods of time between eating makes managing blood sugar much more difficult,” explains Vise. Instead, aim to eat every few hours and balance each meal and snack with protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats.
- Stay Hydrated. Water helps flush out extra sugar from your bloodstream. “Dehydration can lead to higher concentrations of glucose in the blood,” adds Kolesa. If you struggle to drink plain water, she recommends fruit-infused water or low-sugar sparkling beverages.
- Be Active. “Physical movement helps reduce insulin resistance and increase insulin sensitivity, which supports better blood sugar control,” explains Hippley. “Choosing activities you enjoy makes it easier to stay consistent and can have the added benefits of also reducing stress and improving mental health,” Vise adds. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and two sessions of strength training weekly.
- Practice Stress Management. When you’re stressed, your body enters “fight or flight” mode, releasing stored glucose to fuel your response. This raises blood sugar levels. Incorporating stress management is a crucial pillar in supporting balanced blood sugar levels. Practice breathing exercises, engage in physical activity, read a book, spend time outside or connect with others for stress relief.
Our Expert Take
Strained (Greek-style) yogurt with berries checks nearly every box for a late-night snack: it’s quick, balanced and supports both blood sugar and sleep. Of course, no one snack is perfect for everyone. When choosing a late-night snack for better blood sugar, aim for a combination of fiber, protein and some healthy fat.
Better blood sugar is central to overall metabolic health, but diet and meal timing aren’t the only things that matter. Movement, hydration, sleep and stress management also play crucial roles in supporting blood sugar levels. “By gradually addressing and improving each area of your health, these pieces of your puzzle can work in tandem to support and enhance your overall metabolic health,” concludes Burak.
