Eating dinner late isn\u2019t always unhealthy, but it can affect your metabolism and digestion when done consistently.Late meals may also negatively affect sleep quality, especially if they contain heavy ingredients that are harder to digest before bed.Experts suggest eating dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime when possible, but occasional late meals aren\u2019t harmful if balanced with overall healthy habits. <\/p>\n
When it comes to dinnertime, everyone has their preferences. Some prefer an early meal, while others might not be able to sit down to eat until later in the evening. Much of this is determined by schedule and lifestyle, not to mention the cultural norms where you live. In some countries, like Spain, dinner might not start until 9 p.m.<\/p>\n
But is there a time that\u2019s healthiest to eat dinner<\/a>? And for those who might prefer a later meal, is it all that bad? To unpack the science behind digestion<\/a> and how your dinner time can impact it, we chatted with two experts: Megan DeChatelets<\/a>, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., at Sarah Lynn Nutrition, Hilma\u2019s nutrition advisor, and Lauren Manaker<\/a>, M.S., R.D.N.<\/p>\n Related StoryWhat Happens When You Have A Late Dinner?<\/p>\n \u201cEating dinner late at night isn\u2019t inherently unhealthy,\u201d Manaker says. \u201cWhether it\u2019s problematic depends on the individual\u2019s unique needs, lifestyle, and health conditions, and what they are eating.”<\/p>\n For some, she says that eating a late dinner doesn\u2019t cause any issues, but others can experience problems like acid reflux and indigestion.<\/p>\n Metabolism also affects how we digest our food. While everybody\u2019s energy levels are different, you can typically expect your metabolism to slow down as the day comes to a close. <\/p>\n \u201cMetabolism tends to be at its highest during the day when you are most active and engaged in various physical and mental activities,\u201d DeChatelets says. \u201cIn the evening, metabolism starts gradually slowing down as you transition toward more restful activities and prepare for sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n The later you eat, the less your body metabolizes your food. And the impact it can have on your body is glaring. According to a 2022 study<\/a> by researchers at Harvard Medical School, later meal times can deregulate appetite hormones in the body, which means you can still feel hungry even after having a full meal.<\/p>\n The Harvard researchers also found that, due to the body\u2019s metabolic state later in the day, it burns calories more slowly after a late dinner. In addition, the way those calories are used is believed to trigger greater fat storage in the body than eating earlier in the day.<\/p>\n \u201cConsistently eating a large meal too close to bedtime can also contribute to metabolic imbalances and difficulty managing weight, as the body is more likely to store calories as fat when not being used for energy,\u201d DeChatelets says.<\/p>\n How Does Your Dinner Time Affect Sleep Quality?<\/p>\n