A study published in 2016 showed that many adults display erratic eating patterns. These unstable eating patterns – such as eating dinner at different times and often late at night – can be unhealthy due to a number of reasons including disrupting blood sugar, nutrient balance, metabolism, and hormonal regulation.
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Erratic eating patterns can also lead to overeating, stress, poor food choices, and long-term health issues, such as diabetes and obesity.
Paying attention to what time you eat dinner is especially crucial. Late dinners can disrupt digestion and sleep quality, too. So, what is the best time to tuck into supper?
As per Healthline, these are the best times to eat dinner, according to your health focus:
When you’re trying to lose weight
To support weight loss, consider timing your dinner earlier, before your body begins releasing melatonin and preparing for sleep.
Research suggests that eating later in the evening may disrupt your circadian rhythm, leading to increased body fat. Eating more calories at breakfast rather than dinner has been linked to greater weight loss. If you get hungry later on, opt for healthy snacks to maintain your weight loss goals.
When you struggle with acid reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be worsened by late meals. To reduce the risk of nighttime acid reflux, it’s advisable to finish dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime. For instance, if you usually go to bed at 10:00 p.m., aim to complete your dinner by 7:00 p.m.
And in general…
Regardless of health goals, calorie control is vital for weight management. Late-night eating is associated with unhealthy food choices, often high in sugar and fat. Mindless eating while watching screens can lead to overconsumption. Setting an end time for your last meal can help prevent unwanted weight gain and health issues related to overeating at night.
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