• Question: How long before i go to sleep should i stop eating/how long does it take my food to digest.

    Asked by JackH on 27 Jan 2025.
    • Photo: Giorgia P

      Giorgia P answered on 27 Jan 2025:

      It is often suggested to leave a minimum of 2 hours, ideally 3-4 before sleeping. Food digestion varies on the individual, and between men and women, and across age ranges. Also the content of the meal can affect digestion, such as higher fat meals taking longer, vs a banana. It can take 4-6 hours to digest a standard meal.

    • Photo: Carly Bingham

      Carly Bingham answered on 28 Jan 2025:

      Most people empty most of the food out of their stomach 2-4 hours after eating. One reason to wait after eating before laying down is reduce the risk of reflux (acid coming back up from the tummy into he foodpipe) – we are more prone to this when our stomach is full and when laying down so this can help reduce the problem by not doing both at the same time!

Comments

  • Photo: Dr Iain Brownlee

    Dr Iain Brownlee commented on :

    To add to the previous responses, the average time it takes between eating and the remnants of food passing out of the body when you poo is between 24 and 48 hours. Your body will have absorbed most of the nutrients from your food in the small intestine, with material taking around 12 hours to pass beyond this point. During the remaining time, a small amount of nutrients and about a fifth of the total water absorbed are “salvaged” in the large intestine.