The pandemic has shifted our eating habits, and that could be a good thing. We’re now more likely to eat when we’re hungry and to listen to our bodies. And that includes when we eat dinner.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when is the best time to eat dinner. The ideal time for you will depend on your individual circadian rhythm, or whether you’re an early bird or a night owl.
If you’re an early bird, you should eat dinner earlier, around 6 p.m. This will give your body enough time to digest before you hit the hay around 10 or 11 p.m.
If you’re a night owl, you can eat dinner later, around 8 p.m. This will help you avoid mindless snacking, empty calories, and unnecessary munching late at night.
No matter what time you eat dinner, it’s important to avoid eating too close to bedtime. Eating too close to bedtime can decrease the quality of your sleep, increase inflammation, and make weight management more difficult.
If you find yourself eating dinner late, try to have a balanced snack in the afternoon. This will help you avoid going into dinner famished, so you are less likely to overeat.