The time of day you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner can have a wider impact. On your health.
Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist Alana Mohlstein told Fox News Digital that meal timing can make “all the difference for your digestion.”
He said that somewhere between 3:30 and 5:00 p.m. is a “sweet spot.”
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“If the meal is very early, say 2 p.m., people stand around the table for hours, leading to multiple helpings of each course just to pass the time,” he noted.
“On the other hand, eating very late — like 5:30 p.m. or later — can have a reaction if people stop eating throughout the day.”
Mohlstein warns that waiting until later to eat often results in “overeating at dinner, feeling uncomfortably full and struggling with digestion or remorse.”
Experts recommend that you limit meal times to no more than two hours — and that includes any. Appetizers or charcuterie.
“Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner mindfully, savoring each bite and listening to your body’s cues.”
“If you start right away with cheese, crackers, chips, dips and wine, your eating window can stretch out to three or four hours, making you more likely to overeat,” she said. ”
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“Instead, try to focus on drinking water or a seasonal tea, like pumpkin or cinnamon, for the first hour of mingling — then go straight to the main course,” suggests Mohlstein.
“That way, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal and dessert.
Experts recommend eating a well-balanced meal before Thanksgiving dinner to avoid overeating later. (iStock)
Jessica Seiple, clinical nutritionist and founder of JSHealth Vitamins, told Fox News Digital in a separate interview that timing is less important than how you approach the food itself.
Seiple, who is also based in Los Angeles, recommends eating a main meal before 9:00 p.m., which allows the body to “digest properly before winding down for the night.”
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In addition to timing, Seiple suggests a few other options for good digestion and overall wellness. On Thanksgiving.
This includes sipping fennel or ginger tea before or after meals to improve digestion.
“These herbs are fantastic for reducing bloating and helping your system process heavy meals,” she said.
“Nutrition is all about balance, and there’s room to enjoy the festivities without compromising your well-being,” said a nutritionist. (iStock)
The expert also recommends balancing meals throughout the day to ensure adequate protein and nutrition and prevent overeating.
“Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner mindfully, savoring every bite and listening to your body’s cues,” she advises.
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“Nutrition is about balance, and there’s room to enjoy the festivities without compromising your well-being.”
Feeling overly full?
It’s easy to overeat on Thanksgiving when there’s an abundance of delicious foods.
Do not allow too much food at once Proper digestion According to certified holistic nutritionist Jamie Maitland, author of the “21-Day Reset Cookbook” and founder of The Office Health, “can overwhelm our system, leading to bloating, indigestion or even fatigue.”
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“A big holiday meal can be loaded with fat, carbs, sugar and protein — and while it’s all delicious, it’s important to give your body space to process everything,” she told Fox News Digital. be provided.”
Florida-based Maitland — who recommends eating between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. for optimal digestive function — offered a few additional tips to aid digestion.
Experts recommend taking each bite slowly and chewing thoroughly to aid digestion. (iStock)
“One tip is to slow down — savor each bite, rather than making it your last meal,” she advises.
“Chewing well not only helps with digestion, but also gives your body time so that when it’s full, you don’t overeat.”
“It’s important to give your body space to process everything.”
Maitland also recommends drinking water throughout the day to prevent food breakdown and bloating.
Another way to support digestion is to incorporate movement after meals, which can be as simple as going for a walk or playing a family game, she adds.
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“Movement helps stimulate the digestive system and keeps things moving, so you can avoid that ‘food coma’ feeling,” Maitland said.
“It doesn’t have to be a structured workout—be creative and don’t underestimate the power of a little stroll.”