When Is The Best Time To Eat Thanksgiving Dinner?

If your group chat has been blowing up with everyone trying to nail down Thanksgiving plans, here’s what the experts say about the best time to sit down for the big meal.

According to an associate professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia University, earlier is better, and not just because it frees up more time to watch football. Eating Thanksgiving dinner earlier in the day gives your body the cushion it needs to recover from the inevitable overeating. If you finish that giant plate of turkey and stuffing at noon or mid-afternoon, you’ve got the rest of the day to walk it off, sip some water, and let your body settle.

But load up on that same heavy meal right before bed, and you’re inviting trouble. Large, late-night dinners can trigger reflux and make it harder to sleep. As a rule of thumb, experts say to give yourself at least three hours between putting down your fork and climbing under the covers.

Of course, timing isn’t everything. Moderation still matters. A mountain of turkey, mashed potatoes, and three rounds of sweet-potato casserole at 2:00 p.m. can still leave you feeling worse than a single, sensible serving at a 6:00 p.m. dinner. What you eat, and how much of it, plays just as big a role.

And here’s one more tip that might surprise you: don’t skip breakfast. Saving space by fasting all morning can backfire. An empty stomach keeps producing acid, which can lead to indigestion and blood-sugar crashes. Plus, once you finally do “break the seal,” you’re more likely to overdo it.

This Thanksgiving, the sweet spot is simple: eat earlier, eat mindfully, and enjoy every bite.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Doug O’Brien