While people are usually conscious about their morning nutrition, they are more likely to get it wrong with the last meal of the day, which can have disastrous consequences. If you are someone who is struggling with high cholesterol, fatty liver, diabetes or high blood pressure, what you eat at dinner can have a huge impact on your condition. Having an early and light dinner as opposed to a heavy and late dinner can do wonders in your health journey and help control your weight, blood sugar levels and other chronic diseases. You can turn dinner time to your advantage by chewing each bite slowly, enjoying the meal with your family and sitting in a relaxed posture, following all the principles of mindful eating. Taking a walk after eating will ensure that your food is digested properly and will also help you prepare for bed. (Also Read: 7 Amazing Morning Drinks To Lower Cholesterol Levels Naturally)
“A major lifestyle factor affecting our metabolic system is eating at the wrong time. The liver is one of the major metabolic factors in the human physiological system. It works in conjunction with the circadian rhythm of the body clock and regulates glucose formation or glycogen Helps in. Storage. The liver works in two cycles: breaking down substances to give glucose and building up digested substances to create glycogen stores. Eating food at the right time helps the liver in alternative functioning. Eating dinner early, at sunset, in which the internal clock is set to a different metabolic phase, helps the digestive system function efficiently,” MBBS, DNB, PGDDN, Head of Wellness and Wellbeing at Columbia Pacific Communities. (Developmental Neurology) says Dr. Karthiyayini Mahadevan.
Health benefits of eating dinner on time
One of the most common liver problems seen in today’s lifestyle is fatty liver. So, the benefits of having dinner before sunset include:
- Effective digestion.
- Effective function of liver in detoxification.
- Effective bowel movement and evacuation.
- Sufficient transit time for the gut flora to receive nutrition.
6 positive dinner habits for health
1. Dinner should be eaten before sunset or before 7 pm: Both conventional wisdom and modern science agree that eating an early dinner can work wonders for your digestion and metabolism. This ensures that the body does not have to work extra hard while sleeping and gets time to rest and refresh.
2. Avoid oily and fried food during dinner: Dinner should be light and easy to digest. Fats are not digested well during dinner due to reduced bile production, as the liver is in an anabolic phase, producing glycogen.
3. Hydrate well: Adequate hydration through warm soup with dinner aids digestion and if consumed with fiber-rich vegetables, helps nourish the gut flora.
4. Avoid animal proteins at dinner: Animal protein takes a lot of effort to digest and will not be effectively supported by the liver because it is in the formation phase. This can cause partially digested protein to remain in the intestine, which when decomposed will affect healthy gut flora.
5. Consuming millet based food in dinner: Millet based dishes are rich in micronutrients and are also a great source of fiber which will nourish the gut flora. This will ensure better mental health and also lead to good sleep.
6. Eating mindfully all the time, especially at dinner: The best way to relax after a busy day is to have a nutritious and light dinner. This will help close the metabolic system with gratitude for the day.
Eating food carefully at the right time, quantity and quality prolongs life by many years.
