We have often heard of the phrase, “breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a cornice”. This briefly, it establishes that our dinner should be the lightest food of the day, because after a few hours of meal, we enter a phase of inactivity (sleep) that lasts for 7-8 hours. On the other hand, it is said that you should eat at least 3 hours before bedtime, so that your body can be given enough time to digest food. However, it does not translate into food at 10 pm if you plan to sleep at 1 o’clock (which is not healthy in itself!) So, what is the best time to eat dinner? Let’s dig deep …
Early dinner offers a host of profit
Eating dinner at the right time can have a big effect on your health. Experts suggest that dinner early 6 to 7 pm – is best for digestion, weight management and sleep quality.
Why eat early?
Eating dinner early gives your body enough time to digest food before bedtime. Ideally, you should complete your food at least 2 to 3 hours before going to sleep. For example, if you sleep at 10 pm, try to have dinner at 7 or 8 pm. This acid helps prevent problems such as reflux and resentment, which can occur when you lie down immediately after eating.
What happens if you eat late at night?
Eating late at night can also disrupt the natural clock of your body, which is called a circadian rhythm. When you eat late, your body wonders that it should be active, which can make it difficult to sleep and affect how your body gets calories. Research suggests that earlier eating can improve metabolism and even help insulin resistance, which can reduce the risk of diabetes.
Benefits of eating dinner early
Better digestion: It is time to break food before sleeping in your stomach.
Better sleep: Avoid discomfort and take better rest at night.
Weight management: Early eating helps control the use of calories and can prevent weight gain.
Low acid reflux: The low probability of stomach acid flows back into the esophagus.
Increased energy: Eating early can help you feel more energetic the next day, as your body has time to rest and repair overnight.
What to do if you cannot manage this slot?
Many people are still working between 6-7 pm, and have not even started preparing for their dinner in this hour. Therefore, this slot, although perfectly optimal to health, may not be very practical for most. In such a case, try to eat your dinner as soon as possible, not from 8.30 pm later. Also, present your dinner in the morning (or at least a part of it), so that you do not need to do much in the evening, when you return home. Also, if you can manage, you can also take your dinner to work, or have a big meal just before going home. If you still feel hungry at night, you may have a glass of warm milk, or some green tea.
