On average, dinner time in France is set for 8 p.m. Usually, the evening meal consists of a starter, a main course, a dessert and/or cheese. More or less balanced, this meal needs to be carefully put together to avoid malabsorption or stagnation of weight when trying to lose weight. More than that, it is necessary to choose the right time to dine in order not to interfere with sleep and digestion.
Why is it better to avoid late dinners?
Late-night dining isn’t a recommended practice if you’re trying to shed those extra pounds. There’s more to it than just watching the clock, as late dinners can hinder efficient calorie burning and negatively impact your metabolism. “The speed at which the body digests food and metabolizes nutrients does not slow down dramatically when the clock strikes a certain time. However, for most of us, physical activity levels decrease in the evening, which affects how effectively calories are burned. Additionally, some research suggests that eating late can disrupt circadian rhythms, which impacts metabolic processes, and it is better to complete the last meal early, for both weight management, better quality sleep, and increased longevity,” underlines nutritionist and functional medicine expert, podcaster, and author of the books Juice and Juice + Nourish, Rose Ferguson.
How should one approach dinner for a peaceful night and significant weight loss?
To avoid all the negatives that a late meal can lead to, one must eat early and steer clear of certain foods. And rightly so, after 6pm, some foods are very poorly digested by the system. It is therefore best to dine before 6 p.m and avoid sweets, fatty foods, or even red meats. While it’s clear that the foods mentioned above aren’t good for our bodies, especially in the evening, others are less obvious.
Indeed, while cabbage is a healthy food, it’s not recommended for consumption in the evening. The digestion of this vegetable is particularly long.
Spicy food should also be excluded from the evening meals. “Spicy foods can not only cause indigestion, but also increase body temperature, which makes falling asleep more difficult,” explains Rose Ferguson.
Another less-obvious choice to avoid is composed salads. While they may seem like a healthy option, the abundance of raw vegetables can ferment in your stomach, leading to bloating and potentially disrupted sleep.
