Sleep Foundation

Late eating

A large meal late in the evening can create a mild stress on the body. This can prevent the body moving into a relaxed state with refreshing sleep. This delay in reaching a relaxed state can last for 3-6 hours.

In an ideal world it would perhaps be best for large meals to be eaten no later than the afternoon. However, there are a range of factors that influence the time of day we eat, so it is important to personalise what works for you.

• Eat your main meal earlier in the day, with a smaller meal in the evening if needed.
• When possible, ensure the evening meal is eaten at least 2 hours before bed.