Is 7pm too late for dinner?

Author: Jerel Nader  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 17, 2025

While studies suggest that eating between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. is beneficial for overall health, if that doesn't fit your schedule, she says to try to stop eating at least three hours before bed to avoid issues like acid reflux.

Is it OK to eat dinner at 7pm?

Eating dinner too late in the evening can disrupt sleep patterns and digestion, so it is generally recommended to eat dinner between 6 and 7 PM. Eating too early can also lead to overeating later in the evening, so it is important to find the balance that works for you.

Is 7 o clock too late for dinner?

However, in many Western cultures, dinner is typically served between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Having dinner after 8:00 PM is often considered late, while in some Mediterranean cultures, dining times can be later, often starting around 9:00 PM or even later. Ultimately, it depends on individual habits and cultural context.

How late is it acceptable for dinner?

8pm is the standard time for dinner. Any time from 7:30pm to 9:30pm is acceptable. Before 7:30 is not dinner, it's just evening food. It's not even night yet.

How late is too late to eat for dinner?

Scientists can't agree on a single set time, but the consensus seems to be within three hours before bedtime. So if you go to bed at 11 p.m., don't eat after 8 p.m. Banishing late night snacks after that time could help alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux disease, too.

What Happens if You Eat Dinner After 7 PM? (WITH SOLUTION)

Is it rude to be late for dinner?

(And it's rude to arrive early; you might surprise the host and find him in his bathrobe vacuuming.) Even if your lunch or dinner mate is easygoing, it's disrespectful arrive more than five minutes late. Aim to arrive at least five or ten minutes before the curtain goes up.

Is eating after 8pm bad for you?

Eating later in the evening is often associated with weight gain. While eating later into the evening can affect digestion, experts note that what you're eating is more important than when you're eating when it comes to healthy habits.

Is 730 too late for dinner?

Canadeo, who says the best time to eat dinner according to several studies is between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., agrees that leaning on the earlier side is better.

Can I eat at 10pm and still lose weight?

But science keeps learning new things about the human body. How many calories you take in, and how much activity you engage in, still matters… a lot. But several studies over the past decade have shown that eating late meals might make it harder to lose weight.

Why do people eat dinner so late?

For them, dining late is an intentional choice. Some eat at these hours because they're reluctant to admit the day is over, others are hooked on the private indulgence of a pile of pasta eaten alone on the couch. Together, their stories make a case for a somewhat niche practice: the late American dinner.

What are the side effects of eating late at night?

A number of studies show there's increased gastric acid secretion after you lie down for bed, and that's going to cause more esophageal irritation, heartburn, and discomfort. You may also burn fewer of the calories you've consumed as your metabolic rate slows down.

Is eating dinner at 7 30 late?

“Ideally, there should be three hours between when you eat and when you go to bed,” Dr. Catherine Darley, founder of The Institute of Naturopathic Sleep Medicine, told HuffPost. That means if you go to bed at 10 p.m., dinner after 7 p.m. is considered late.

What is the healthiest time to eat dinner?

Dinnertime should follow the same schedule as your earlier meals, making sure there is no more than four to five hours between lunch and dinner. Some people will need to eat a snack between lunch and dinner because eating dinner at 4 or 5 pm is not always realistic.

What is supper vs dinner?

A supper is usually a light meal and is probably had after a larger dinner has been had in the middle of the day. Confused? Well most people see a dinner as a more complete meal.

What time at night should you stop eating?

What's the best time to stop eating before bed? It's best to stop eating about three hours before going to bed. That allows plenty of time for your body to digest the last food you ate so it won't disrupt your sleep, but leaves a small enough window before sleep that you won't go to bed feeling hungry.

What time do most people eat dinner?

For most people, dinnertime falls between 5 and 8 p.m., but nutritionists told the Wall Street Journal there are several factors beyond the time of day you should consider when planning your meals.

Is 8pm too late for dinner?

It's time to put a fork in your late-evening eating habits. A study from the University of Sorbonne in Paris, France found that people who ate dinner after 9 p.m. may have an increased risk of suffering from a stroke or mini stroke.

Should you go to bed hungry?

Eating before bed may stabilize your blood sugar levels and satisfy cravings, helping you fall asleep faster. Risks of eating before bed may outweigh benefits and cause reflux, heartburn, weight gain, and worse sleep. Experts recommended eating up to two hours before bedtime to avoid negative effects.

Does eating late cause belly fat?

Calories consumed at night won't change your metabolism or count more than calories consumed during the day. Weight gain and weight loss comes down to a simple math equation, explains Day. “Too many calories taken in versus not enough expended on any given day, regardless of the time, will lead to weight gain.”

What happens if you eat dinner at 7pm?

Eating late at night can wreak havoc on your weight management efforts. When you consume calories close to bedtime, your body may not have a chance to burn them off effectively. This can lead to weight gain over time. By finishing your dinner by 7 PM, you give your body more time to metabolise the food before sleep.

Is 7pm early for dinner?

Eating later in the evening also produces higher levels of hunger hormones like ghrelin, meaning that people who eat dinner closer to bedtime tend to feel hungrier. Based on those findings, the researchers determined that eating between 5 P.M. and 7 P.M. is ideal for people concerned about weight management.

How late is acceptable for dinner?

While studies suggest that eating between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. is beneficial for overall health, if that doesn't fit your schedule, she says to try to stop eating at least three hours before bed to avoid issues like acid reflux.

Will I gain weight if I sleep after eating?

Weight gain may occur due to sleeping after meals. For what reason? If you sleep right after eating, the body will not have enough time to burn the calories, causing fat buildup. Aside from that, the foods you consume before bedtime cannot be used as a source of energy.

Is eating late at night bad for the kidneys?

Study shows that kidneys get affected when you have late dinner and skip morning meals. Therefore, try these 5 foods which will ensure the smooth functioning of your kidneys.

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