You shouldn’t eat dinner too late- here’s why experts say timing matters

We've all heard that dinner should be eaten at a certain time, but everyone eats at a different time. Dinner times can be very different, from early meals at 4:30 p.m. to reservations for late at night.

Nutritionists say that the best time to eat dinner depends on your lifestyle, when you go to bed, and the food you choose.

The time your mom told you to be home by for dinner can mean different things to different people. Some people eat as early as 4:30 p.m., while others like to wait until around 10 p.m. to eat. A registered dietitian nutritionist and author of The Plant Love Kitchen named Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD, says that there is no one right way to eat dinner.


Moore says the timing often depends on how you live, what you eat, and when you go to bed for example. In this case, if you go to bed early, your dinner window might naturally come earlier than if you stay up late. In the same way, lighter meals closer to bedtime may be better for your digestion than heavy, fatty, or spicy meals, as quoted in a report by USA Today.

What's wrong with eating too close to bedtime?

Even though there isn't a single best time, everyone agrees on the worst: less than two to three hours before lying down. Moore says that big, heavy meals eaten too close to bedtime can make it harder to digest food and sleep better.

This is very important for people who have gastric reflux or are at risk of getting it, because eating spicy, fatty, or acidic foods late at night can make symptoms worse. If you go to bed before 10 p.m., try to eat dinner around 6 p.m. to avoid feeling uncomfortable, as quoted in a report by USA Today.

What should you remember about eating late at night?

Remember that having one late dinner won't hurt your health. Experts stress how important it is to pay attention to your body's hunger signals. Even if it's almost time for bed, it's better to eat something if you're really hungry late at night for some reason.


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Being careful about what you eat is the key. Smaller, lighter meals are less likely to keep you from sleeping than bigger, heavier ones, as quoted in a report by USA Today.

Thus, everyone has a different idea of when the "perfect" dinner time is. However, giving your body a few hours to digest before bed can help with both digestion and sleep, as quoted in a report by USA Today.


Disclaimer: The article is for general information or educational purposes only, and is not a medical advice. Please consult your doctor as this is not a substitute for professional help.

FAQs

When is the best time to eat dinner?
It's best to finish dinner at least two to three hours before going to bed, according to experts.

Does having dinner late at night hurt you?
Eating heavy, spicy, or fatty meals late at night can make it hard to digest and sleep.