The best (and the worst) foods to have after sex

Hunger pangs hitting you after that midnight romp? Before you reach out for that leftover pizza, read this!

Surely you knew sex helps you burn calories.

And if that's pretty much the only exercise you're getting through the day, it's probably not a bad idea to make the most of it!

According to some estimates having sex can burn close to 150 calories every 30 minutes.

Now if you're one of those who immediately falls off to bed, this article is not for you.

For the rest of us who must let the adrenalin rush die out and suffer hunger pangs, watch out because that post-coital midnight snack will most certainly come back to bite you.

Nutritionists Malavika Athavale and Namita Jain weigh in 15 snack options.

Smoothies

Malavika Athavale:

• Smoothies are a perfect snack without the honey and sugar.
• Stick to just fruits and yogurt.
• Any seasonal fruit will do.

Namita Jain:

• If you're watching your weight, avoid chikoos
• Go for skimmed milk or low-fat yoghurt
• There isn't any harm in adding a few almonds along with some cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla essence.

Egg and toast

Malavika Athavale:

• Most advisable are boiled egg whites on toast.
• Avoid the yolk because it's high in fat and cholesterol.
• Most other egg preparations either need oil or butter
• Since (we are assuming) it is bedtime, your metabolism is bound to be slow and therefore anything with lesser caloric value is great and easier to digest.

Namita Jain:

• Omelette with just egg whites isn't a bad idea.
• Toss up whatever vegetables you like in it.
• Stick to multi-grain bread.

Leftover pizza

Malavika Athavale:

• Completely avoidable! There is nothing healthy about cheese and maida.
• Besides you never know when it has been prepared.

Namita Jain:

• I don't necessarily like making pizza out to be the bad guy
• Sure it has cheese and refined flour and minimum veggies.
• But if you must have it, control your portions.
• Have some fruits or salads before you have the pizza so you don't stuff yourself with it.

Black coffee or tea

Malavika Athavale:

• Coffee and tea have caffeine so they are bound to keep you awake
• Both these drinks are avoidable unless you want to stay awake
• In which case, green tea is most preferred. It helps metabolism.

Namita Jain:

• Caffeine works as a good perk and is sometimes helpful.
• But remember there are good chances you will be awake after that cuppa
• If you must, make it de-caf.
• Also remember that this works just as a beverage and won't fill you up.
• You will need something to eat with it. Consider a vegetable sandwich.

Vegetable sandwich

Malavika Athavale:

• Vegetable sandwich is a great option
• Toasted bread is easier to digest so ideally have a toast sandwich
• Avoid the cheese, obviously!

Namita Jain:

• Sandwiches are the easiest to make. Put your leftover vegetables between two slices of bread and you're good to go.
• Opt for multi-grain bread.
• Avoid butter and cheese.
• Instead use chutney, ideally one with little or no coconut.

Warm milk

Malavika Athavale:

• Milk aids in metabolism and digestion so you don't suffer from acidity
• Warm milk also soothes your nervous system
• And it helps in clearing the bowels.

Namita Jain:

• Milk is a complete food.
• It gives all the nourishment you need
• Have it with a toast and cracker if you must
• Or some nuts -- no more than five to seven pieces because nuts are high in fat
• Warm milk is also very comforting.

Popcorn

Malavika Athavale:

• If you have constipation issues popcorn should be avoided
• Else the regular salted popcorn is a great low-calorie snack.

Namita Jain:

• Popcorn is a good snack but mentally you don't feel full unless you eat a lot of it.
• Perhaps you could consider eating it with a fruit or sandwich or another filling dish.

Chips

Malavika Athavale:

• Chips are processed, fried and have high levels of sodium and therefore a bad choice.
• Even if they're baked, the sodium levels remain high.
• Ditto for instant soups, instant noodles and anything packaged.

Namita Jain:

• A meal of chips will make you feel sick and guilty.
• If you really must have chips, go for the baked variety and don't go beyond a small bowl.
• Opt for a fruit or a salad or something healthy to fill yourself up.

Alcohol

Malavika Athavale:

• Alcohol is nothing but empty calories.
• It is high on stimulants and slows down your metabolism.
• Entirely avoidable
• If you must, have some salads to go with it to offset the empty calories

Namita Jain:

• Alcohol can make you lose discrimination of what you are snacking.
• Yet again, should you really want it, control the amount you consume.
• There's nothing worse than having alcohol with fried peanuts and chips to go with it.

Leftover from that day-old takeaway

Malavika Athavale:

• Having anything that's ordered in is definitely a no-no!
• You don't know when it has been prepared.
• Opt instead for something that's made at home
• Toss it into a chapatti and have it as a roll. That's fine but nothing that's ordered in.

Namita Jain:

• Sure it is the easiest and the practical (post-coital snack)
• But on the downside it also will be greasy and unhealthy.
• If you don't have a choice, reduce the portion sizes
• Complement it with a bowl of curds or fruits so you don't end up causing much damage.

Chocolates

Malavika Athavale:

• A couple of pieces of dark chocolates are a good idea.
• Dark chocolates will help boost serotonin, the feel-good hormone.
• So if you are stressed or intend to work into the night, dark chocolate is a very good idea.
• Avoid milk-based chocolates because they're more difficult to digest.

Namita Jain:

• Chocolate gives you instant energy much like black coffee or tea
• But limit your potions. Do not over indulge
• Also, you cannot make a meal out of chocolates
• So look out something healthy to snack on and let the chocolate be your dessert.

Cheese

Malavika Athavale:

• Cheese is high in sodium and fat
• If you have problems with your digestive track, cheese isn't such a good idea.
• Besides it is heavy and is more difficult to digest.
• It is one thing if you're young. But as you grow older, your metabolism slows down. So beware.

Ice cream

Malavika Athavale

• Sorbets, which are available aplenty these days, are a good option.
• But the rich creamy variety is entirely avoidable, again because like pizzas and chocolates, it is heavy and difficult to digest.

Namita Jain:

• This is how I view ice-cream (after sex): You've exercised, you've indulged and you're about to go to bed.
• If you really must have ice-cream, don't have more than a couple of spoons.
• In any case it can't be a full meal; it shouldn't because it will sit in your stomach and you'll feel sluggish.

Buttermilk

Malavika Athavale:

• Not exactly a snack but it works
• Buttermilk is low on calories
• It fills you up easily
• And it doesn't interfere with your metabolism

Breakfast cereals

Namita Jain:

• Muesli, flakes and other cereal mixes that are usually had for breakfast also make for a good midnight snack.
• They are high on fibre, easy to access and healthy.
• A bowl of cereal with milk is a very, very good idea.