How many hours before bedtime can you eat: the expert's answer

Everyone has faced these questions more than once – whether it is possible to eat after 18:00, and how many hours before bedtime you should have dinner. Experts' opinions, as well as solutions to each of these issues, are divided. Someone recommends refraining from eating after 6 p.m., while others advise eating, but a few hours before bedtime and light meals.

Nutritionist Svitlana Fus shared on Instagram how and at what time to have dinner so as not to overload the body at night.

"You can eat dinner late, but if you go to bed in 3-4 hours, that is, 23:00 - 4(3) hours = 19:00 (20:00). This applies to everyone: both those who are losing weight and those who just want to be healthy. Because it is during this time that the level of insulin, which rises after eating, will drop to normal. And this will allow the body to use fat reserves as energy at night," the expert said.

The nutritionist noted that it is very important to have at least 12 hours between dinner and breakfast.

"When planning your diet, you should take this into account. Therefore, if you had dinner at 20:00, then have breakfast no earlier than 8:00. You also need to remember that dinner is 20% of your daily food intake. In order not to get full at night, take care of a hearty lunch," Fus explained.

The expert recommends eating protein foods: seafood, meat, fish, and vegetables in any form.

"But if you feel discomfort in your stomach or intestines and feel hungry after eating raw vegetables for dinner, it is better to use cooked vegetables (steamed or stewed/baked)," says Fus.

The nutritionist also noted that you can also eat porridge or whole grain bread (about 50 g) for dinner.

"Choose cereals with a low glycemic index: buckwheat, quinoa. Some people feel comfortable eating only porridge and vegetables for dinner," the expert summarized.