Grazing

views updated Jun 11 2018

Grazing

The term grazing is used to describe the eating of small, frequent meals, or mini-meals, throughout the day, typically every three to four hours. Grazing does not mean constantly eating snack foods, but rather is a concept of consuming one's daily food intake, including all necessary nutrients , over five or six (or more) small meals, rather than two or three large ones. Frequent eating can be a great way to maintain one's energy level. This is also a beneficial eating pattern for individuals with gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion and acid reflux . Without a focus on healthy choices, however, grazing can become an easy way to overeat, and could possibly lead to weight gain.

see also Dietary Trends, American; Eating Habits.

Susan Mitchell

Internet Resource

American Dietetic Association. <http://www.eatright.org>

grazing

views updated Jun 08 2018

grazing The consumption of vegetation, usually on grassland, by animals, particularly cattle and sheep. Overgrazing can lead to desertification.

grazing

views updated Jun 11 2018

graz·ing / ˈgrāzing/ • n. grassland suitable for pasturage: pastures and rough grazing.