There’s a hypothetical witching hour for dieters – sometime in the evening is when most “experts” say you shouldn’t put anything else in your mouth until morning. But if you’re famished after dinner, should you really starve yourself? Nope. In fact, the right midnight snack can keep you from overeating and help you sleep better. But before you raid the fridge, it’s important to figure out if you’re hungry or thirsty. Drink a cup or two of water before you munch, and you may find that it’s easy to get to sleep. If you still feel hungry after a drink and can’t sleep, then try a starchy snack, like potatoes or rice. They elevate levels of tryptophan, an amino acid, in the blood and can help you have more restful sleep. The old-school remedy, warm milk, does the same thing. Just eschew the cookies when you drink your milk. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, then dried fruit can fit the bill. Just be sure to skip mixes that contain chocolate – it’s high in caffeine. Lean protein will fill you up, too – try a little string cheese a lean turkey sandwich. Bad snack choices at night include fatty foods, which tax your digestive system and may cause indigestion, much like fried and spicy treats. So don’t worry if you’re a night owl – make wise choices, and you’ll be in diet dreamland in no time!