tThis is a lot of debate on the third Thursday in November. Should everyone watch football? Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Is light meat healthier than dark meat? And which one is better? What is the best outfit for the Turkish Trot? But one of the most important questions regarding the main event: What time the best Time to serve Thanksgiving dinner?
Some families enjoy Thanksgiving as a midday lunch. After all the dishes are done, you can go for a walk outside or play a football game with your family; a little activity that helps digest all that food. Others scratched their heads, wondering how it was possible to get all the cooking done so early and how lucky they were if they got it all on the table by 7pm. Besides, their argument is, turkey helps you sleep.
To help settle the debate about what time of day is really best to eat Thanksgiving—at least in terms of digestion—I reached out to registered dietitian and blogger The Full Help Gena. Hamshaw, RD. “There’s no ‘official’ verdict on the best time to eat your Thanksgiving meal,” she said. “It often depends on family traditions, that’s okay: food should be a source of joy and an opportunity to connect.”
Okay, okay, but if you yes To select, I press. “From a digestive standpoint, it’s helpful to stay upright for at least two to three hours after eating and before sleeping,” says Hamshaw. “This is especially true if you’re prone to acid reflux or indigestion: lying down right after a meal can worsen those common digestive problems.” With this in mind, it’s more important when you’re going to bed, not when you’re eating.
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“So feel free to enjoy your party in the afternoon or evening, but give yourself some time to digest before bed,” says Hamshaw. “And if you eat earlier in the day, consider an evening snack so you don’t go to bed hungry. Consistent meal times are also good for digestion, and they help keep your metabolism steady. .”
It looks like no family traditions have been broken this year—at least when it comes to meal times. It seems like the biggest argument will be telling your grandfather that mashed potatoes are actually made from cauliflower.
Here’s how to build your Thanksgiving plate like a registered dietitian:
