Definition of grazing........

Does anyone know the definition of grazing in the wls world? As opposed to meals/snacks? Grazing is bad, but 3 meals and 2 snacks seems to be the normal protocol for post ops. Im curious what other programs define these as........... Carrie

Carrie, My definition of grazing is "unconscious eating" . Remember before surgery you would (as most of us did) just sit and randomly snack on something, just for the sake of snacking or eating. You weren't hungry or didn't need to eat, you just did. Thats how I define grazing...Its different now, being post op and eating the 3 meals and 2 snacks because we're eating strictly for nutritional purposes, not for the pleasure of eating...I don't know about you but I've lost all interest in food and the pleasure I used to get from eating just isn't there anymore...Not that I am complaining!! Hope this helped!! ~*Becky*~ 5/17/05 -67lbs!!

I'm not allowed snacks yet, so for me, grazing is anything outside of my 3 meals a day. I do agree with the other post, grazing is really any unconscious eating where you kind of pick at stuff even though you're not hungry and don't need it. For example, if I'm packing my son's lunch and putting chips in a bag, I would always eat a few chips even though I wasn't hungry and didn't need it. Or, if I were bored, sometimes I would wander into the kitchen and just kind of roam through the cupboards and fridge, just picking at stuff, not because I'm hungry, but just because I'm bored. Now, I deliberately eat, and I make sure to sit down and do nothing else while I'm eating (except maybe read while I'm at work).

Hi Carrie. Good post. I have been thinking about this as well and am glad to have it defined. There is a big difference between eating because you're hungry and just kind of snacking along as you go. Thanks jane

I was told that grazing is when you take more than 45 minutes to eat a meal, or continually nibble stuff between meals throughout the day.

Lisa = guilty of grazing.

I do 3 meals a day and 3 protein supplements. No snacking but I guess the protein supplements could equate your to snacks. LOL! I basically eat something every 3-4 hours. To me, grazing is more munching when there is no start time and no stop time. Just mindless eating. I do my shakes and finish 'em up and move on. I eat my meals in 20 minutes or so and I'm done and I move on. Kathy

Carrie, I just went to a support group meeting tonight and asked just this question. In my program, as well as my friends, they suggest 6 small meals a day hence my B,S,L,S,D,S. Grazing is when you basically are eating small amounts on a continual basis. Our rule of thumb is to have somthing small approximately every 2 hours. I guess everyone is different but thats what I follow and I am progressing as my doctor expects. It doesnt look to me like your eating too much but if you are really worried journal it every day and after a week check in with your surgeon and see what he/she thinks. You will do great! I am getting final details together but I am hoping you can come to New Orleans with us, I think you need a night out on Bourbon street! Cary