It may seem like a small detail, but when you eat dinner can actually have a big impact on your sleep, metabolism, and overall health.
Don’t disrupt your circadian rhythm
Eating too late sends mixed signals to your body that it should still be active. This can throw off your circadian rhythm and make it harder to get good sleep.
An early dinner boosts calorie burning
When you eat early, your body processes and burns calories more efficiently.
A late meal can hinder this process because your body doesn’t get a chance to use the energy properly.
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Make the most of the fasting window between dinner and breakfast
Adam Collins from the University of Surrey explains that a longer fast between your last meal and breakfast helps your body switch to burning fat.
This supports weight loss and better metabolic health.
Stick to a 12-hour eating window
A simple tip is to keep all your meals within a 12-hour window each day. This gives your body a natural break to recover and balance your hormones.
Earlier is better than later
Experts agree you get the most health benefits by eating the bulk of your calories earlier in the day instead of late at night.
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This lines up with your body’s natural rhythm.
Light dinners are healthier
One common habit among people who live long lives is eating a light dinner. This lets your body digest without working overtime overnight.
Breakfast like a king, dinner like a pauper
The old saying still rings true: Eat a big breakfast, a sensible lunch, and a light dinner. This supports steady energy levels and healthy weight management.
Watch out for late-night snacks
Even if you eat early, you can ruin the benefits by grazing on chips, chocolate, or alcohol in front of the TV afterward.
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This extends your eating window and disrupts digestion.
Late dinners can work if you work out
If you exercise a lot - especially resistance training - a bigger meal later can actually help your muscles recover.
But it’s still important to keep it within a consistent eating window so your body gets the rest it needs overnight.
Finish eating at least three hours before bedtime
According to Valter Longo from the University of Southern California, you should always be done eating at least three hours before you plan to go to bed.
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This gives your body time to wind down for the night.
Artiklen er baseret på informationer fra Gq.com.
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