There are many different opinions on the right time to eat Thanksgiving dinner. Some people prefer to eat early in the afternoon, while others want to wait until traditional dinner time.
Regardless of the timing, it’s important to consider your family’s traditions when choosing the best time for Thanksgiving dinner. Eating too close to bedtime may make it difficult to digest your feast.
It all depends on your family’s traditions
Most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving by spending time with family and friends. They also gather to eat a traditional meal that includes turkey, corn, stuffing, and pies. They may also watch parades and football games on television or in person. Many families also have Thanksgiving traditions that are unique to them.
The best time to eat dinner on Thanksgiving depends on your family’s traditions. Some people eat lunch-style meals, while others prefer to eat around dinnertime. A recent poll suggests that the majority of Americans eat at about 5 p.m.
Experts recommend eating large meals earlier in the day. This will help you to digest your food better. It’s also important to eat a healthy meal, especially on Thanksgiving. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar. In addition, it’s a good idea to walk or play a game after you eat. This will help you burn calories and prevent excess weight gain.
It’s a day of celebration
Whether your family is chowing down on a turkey at 2 p.m. like Ryan Seacrest or waiting for traditional dinner time at 5 p.m., Thanksgiving is a day for celebrating tradition and spending time with your loved ones. It’s also a time to re-create some of your favorite recipes, including those with non-traditional ingredients.
For example, if you’re tired of the typical Thanksgiving dishes, try making something new this year that celebrates your family’s cultural traditions. If you’re a beef lover, consider substituting the turkey with roasted goose or duck, foods that are typically served at Christmas in many European countries.
While there is no right or wrong time to eat Thanksgiving dinner, Marie-Pierre St-Onge, an associate professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia University, tells HuffPost that eating a large meal closer to bedtime can cause food to build up in the digestive system and lead to reflux. Eating a big meal earlier in the day can prevent this issue.
It’s a day of feasting
The day of Thanksgiving is a day of feasting, and even though you may have good eating habits, it’s still a holiday and it’s okay to indulge a bit. Smallidge explains that a late dinner can lead to overeating as our bodies try to correct dipping blood sugar levels.
If you want to be healthy, consider spreading your calories throughout the day with a light lunch and then dinner that’s not too late. This will give you enough time to digest your meal before moving on to the evening’s snacks and leftovers.
While some families prefer a earlier Thanksgiving meal, it’s important to choose a time that’s convenient for everyone. The process of cooking a turkey from raw bird to neat slices takes several hours, so it’s best to plan accordingly. This way, you can spend more time with family and less time worrying about the meal. This will help you enjoy Thanksgiving to the fullest.
It’s a day of rest
Besides the turkey, there are many other Thanksgiving dishes that people love to chow down on. And it’s important to remember that Thanksgiving isn’t just a day for eating but also a day to take time to be thankful and enjoy some downtime.
When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, early afternoon may be the best time to chow down. According to a 2018 article in The Atlantic, eating at around 2 p.m. can help us avoid a food coma, while allowing for a possible nap before digging into the leftovers in the evening.
However, eating a big meal too close to when you’ll be going to bed on Thanksgiving night can lead to heartburn and a restless night of sleep. This is why experts recommend eating a small meal earlier in the day, like lunch, so you can digest the food before bedtime.
