Time to tackle this age old question!
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| | | Unsolicited gripe about summertime: Dinner ends up being so late every day! The after-work sunlight hours are great, don't get me wrong, but it also means that I inevitably eat dinner after 8 p.m., which pushes my bedtime later than I prefer. Or — far worse — I go to bed on a full stomach anyway, and suffer the consequences. | | OK, enough complaining from me. After all, does it really matter what time you eat dinner? We posed this question to a registered dietitian at Healthline, Kirsten Seele. Below, she shares her thoughts. | | | | | | | Eat up,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
July 24, 2025 • 3.5 min read | | | | | |  | | | | Q: | Is there an ideal time to eat dinner? | | | A: | The short answer is that there isn't enough conclusive research to give a definitive answer to this question. However, eating a large meal right before bed may have a negative effect on your sleep. Studies also show that having an earlier dinner (compared to one right before bed) can help with: - blood glucose management
- metabolic health
- circadian rhythm regulation
The mechanisms that may cause these outcomes relate to the balance of many hormones, like insulin, melatonin, cortisol, and Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
If you live with acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eating a meal and lying down right away is likely to trigger symptoms. So, for this population, it may be best to eat dinner at least 2 to 3 hours before bed to give your digestive tract a chance to settle before you lie down.
Although there isn't a specific time of day that is best for everyone to eat dinner, eating at the same time every day may have advantages. According to a 2025 poll from The National Sleep Foundation, having consistent mealtimes is associated with better sleep and a decrease in stress levels.
Eating an earlier or consistently timed dinner, however, may not work for everyone. As with all things in the nutrition world, making things work for you is key. After-school activities, work schedules, and cultural habits can affect your usual dinner time. Family dinners can be an important part of the day, and due to busy schedules, that may occasionally mean a later dinner! Think closely about your current health goals and prioritize what you need to feel your best. | | | | | Kirsten Seele, Registered Dietitian | | | Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.) | | | Sponsored by | |  | | | | | Answer the call | | | | |  | | Nourish | Not sure where to start in hitting your health goals? Nourish is here to help. Nourish allows you to connect via a one-on-one video call with your personal dietitian. In 94% of cases, your session is fully covered by insurance and you pay $0 out of pocket.
Nourish can help you reach a variety of health goals, such as managing your weight, gut health, and conditions like diabetes. If you're ready to build healthy habits and reach your goals all from the comfort of your own home, get started today! | | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Now's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Now are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | What we're digesting | | 🏥 The complications and long-term risks of meningitis. Getting treatment early can prevent these outcomes. | | 🙉 15 remedies that may reduce snoring. Some simple home remedies and sleep adjustments might help address the problem. | | ❤️🩹 How to prevent heart disease according to a cardiologist. Check out this expert guide to maintaining heart health. | | 🥩 Eating more protein to lose weight? Avoid these six common mistakes. | | | | | How did you feel about this newsletter? | | | | | Email nutritionedition@healthline.com with comments related to this newsletter or topics you'd like to see in future editions. The newsletter editors read every message that lands in our inbox — yes, really! We look forward to hearing from you. | | | | Until next time, |  | Take care of yourself, and we'll see
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