It’s not just buffet-busters on retiree bus tours who crave an early dinner. The emerging field of chrononutrition suggests that your dinner reservation may deserve an earlier time slot: “We’re getting mealtimes wrong – here’s the best time to have dinner.” In one study of more than 800 adults, participants processed a glucose drink less efficiently when they consumed it one hour before bedtime, showing higher blood sugar and lower insulin production than those who ate four hours before bed. The result could be an increased risk of developing conditions like diabetes. Meal timing could influence weight management too. Among 420 adults following the same 20-week weight-loss program, earlier lunch eaters lost more weight and lost it faster than later eaters. Later eating has also been linked with greater hunger the following day and biological changes that favor fat storage. For a practical approach, the article recommends putting more of your calories, whole grains, legumes, and fruit earlier in the day, then keeping dinner lighter and finishing it at least three hours before bed. A study of more than 100,000 people also associated earlier eating patterns with better cardiovascular health. If you’re wondering what belongs on that lighter dinner plate, our recent post “To improve longevity, salmon is our catch of the day” explains the longevity benefits of salmon, thanks to its protein, omega-3s, vitamin D, and other nutrients associated with healthy aging. Your body clock may appreciate both the catch and an earlier catch-up over dinner.

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