The Best Time for Dinner - For Better Health and Restful Sleep

Finding the right time for dinner can be challenging, especially when trying to align daily routine with health aspects. Many people believe that eating late is unhealthy, but that's not necessarily true. Nutrition experts emphasize that there is flexibility in choosing the dinner time. However, they advise against eating too early or too late. State-certified nutritionist Marissa (Meshulam) Karp, founder of MPM Nutrition, recommends having dinner between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. If daily life doesn't allow otherwise, one should eat at least three hours before bedtime to support digestion and reduce the risk of heartburn. In addition to timing, the size and composition of the meal also play an important role. Nutritionist Elizabeth Brown points out that fatty foods like burgers and fries "take six hours or more to digest" and increase stomach acid production, which can disrupt sleep. Those who prefer to have dinner early, around 3 p.m., should have a light, balanced snack later in the day according to Brown. She also emphasizes the importance of incorporating carbohydrates, explaining that they "stimulate the release of serotonin, the precursor to melatonin." For those who work late, it's advisable to eat regularly and sufficiently during the day to avoid developing evening cravings and reduce the likelihood of resorting to unhealthy foods. If sticking to a regular meal plan is challenging, one can try meal prepping. Having a ready-made meal every evening eliminates the need to decide what to have for dinner.