The ‘best time’ to eat dinner to lose weight, according to top US doc

Weight loss experts emphasize that meal timing is as crucial as food choices. Dr. Ashley Lucas, a nutritionist, advises following the sun's pattern, suggesting dinner by 6-7 p.m. to optimize metabolism and hormone regulation. Eating late can disrupt sleep and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, hindering fat burning.

Are you on a weight loss journey? Well, then, when you eat, your food is as important as what you eat. Yes, the timing of your meal really matters, especially when it comes to shedding those extra pounds. You must have heard people saying that early dinners are really key to weight loss. Is it true? Dr. Ashley Lucas, PhD nutritionist and dietitian, explains the ideal time to have dinner for weight loss. Let’s dive deeper.

Obesity is the new epidemic. More than 2 in 5 adults in the United States are struggling with obesity. Nearly 42% of the adult population is obese, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Studies have predicted that America will face an obesity epidemic by 2050. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of several types of diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and certain types of cancer. Maintaining an ideal body weight is crucial for health.

Experts are now stressing the importance of eating food at the right time. If you are on a weight loss journey, Dr. Lucas suggests following the golden rule. What is it? The dietitian reveals that the ticket to success is to follow the sun, as this pattern improves metabolism, regulates hormones.“The ticket to success is really to follow the sun. Our bodies, metabolism, and hormones are most efficient at digesting and metabolizing food during daylight hours. So, aim to wrap up your dinner by 6-7 p.m. and strive for a 12-hour gap before your next meal,” the dietitian said, in a video shared on Instagram.

The expert also said that she does not recommend eating a meal after 7 pm. “If you eat close to your bedtime, then your sleep isn't going to be as deep,” she adds. “Well, munching close to bedtime can affect your sleep quality, leading to less restful nights. Plus, there are some genetic factors that link late-night eating to a higher risk of type two diabetes,” she explained.Several studies also suggest that late-night dinners are not a great idea. Skipping meals and snacking at night, too, are not ideal for weight loss. Your daily biological clock and sleep regulate how the food you eat is metabolized. The choice of burning fats or carbohydrates changes depending on the time of day or night. Your body's circadian rhythm has programmed your body to burn fat when you sleep, so when you skip breakfast and then snack at night, you delay burning the fat.