Dinner Time: Making the Most of Your Evening Meal

Everyone has a favorite time of day – and for many, that’s dinner time. Whether you’re gathering around the table with family and friends, unwinding after a long day, or just making sure you have a good meal to fuel you through the evening, dinner is a special time.

But what time is dinner? The answer might depend on your needs, lifestyle and preferences. Here are some considerations to help you decide what time is best for your evening meal.

Lifestyle Considerations

When you’re trying to decide what time is dinner, your lifestyle is sure to impact your decision. Let’s take a look at a few common things that can impact your mealtime:

Family Time: For many people, the best part of dinner is sharing the meal with family. If this is the case for you, then it makes sense to think about when different members of your family are free for dinner. Consider any school or after-school activities, job commitments, or religious observances to help you decide the best time for your evening meal.

Work Schedule: If the typical 9-5 isn’t your style, then you may need to adjust your dinner time to accommodate your work commitments. Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or physician with an ever-changing schedule, utilize any set meal patterns to help you get into a healthy evening routine.

Late Nights: Whether you’re out on the town or working into the late evening hours, your lifestyle may mean that you’re not able to make it home for a sit-down dinner. In this case, consider planning ahead and ensuring you have healthy snacks and meals packed for yourself so you can make sure you’re still eating on a regular schedule.

Preferred Time of Day

Some people prefer to eat around midday, while others might opt for an earlier evening meal. If it’s feasible for you, try to stick to the same time of day as much as possible to form a healthy habit. That way, you can make sure your meal isn’t rushed or forgotten entirely.

Traditional Mealtimes

In America, the traditional time to eat dinner is around 6:00 or 6:30 PM. Historians note that this time was largely based on when people had returned home from a hard day’s work in the 1800s and early 1900s, and when meals were typically served in schools.

It’s possible that the 6 o’clock hour has become ingrained in some people’s minds, so if this is when you’re used to eating, try to make it work for you. Depending on your lifestyle and routine, it’s possible to adjust this slightly and still keep your body clock on a healthy cycle.

Making the Best of Your Dinner Time

Once you’ve established what time is best for your evening meal, you’re well on your way to developing a nutritious and healthy routine. Be sure to keep in mind how your lifestyle, preferences and habits may impact your decision about when to eat and reveal the best your dinner time can be.