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Nutritionists reveal the ideal time to eat dinner

Researchers say the best time to eat dinner is different for every person, but there is a way to calculate it.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The best time to eat dinner varies from person to person, but did you know there's actually a specific time that's best for your health? 

Researchers say the best time to eat dinner is different for each family. Let's connect the dots. 

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For most people, dinnertime falls between 5 and 8 p.m., but nutritionists told the Wall Street Journal there are several factors beyond the time of day you should consider when planning your meals. 

The most important factor could be when you go to sleep. Experts say you should eat dinner three to four hours before you plan on going to bed. It's all thanks to natural melatonin in your body. If you eat too late, your body can have a harder time regulating your blood sugar and that puts you at risk for diabetes and other disorders. 

So if you turn in at 9:30 p.m., you don't want to eat any later than 6:30 p.m. if possible, according to the experts. And once you find a time that works, stick with it. Experts say the best dinnertime is one you can stick to consistently that's well before going to sleep. 

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