Traditional vs. Grazing

Comparing Eating Schedules to Optimize your Intake

I’m more of a grazer, myself.

Probably because I like food, ALOT!

Which style works best for your lifestyle? Let’s take a look!

Defining the Terms

At E3 Nutrition, we define Traditional vs. Grazing this way:

Traditional Eating Schedule

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Maybe a Small Snack or Two

Grazing Eating Schedule

Smaller Breakfast

Additional Breakfast/Snack

Smaller Lunch

Additional Lunch/Snack

Snack

Smaller Dinner

Additional Dinner/Snack

Traditional Eating

A traditional eating schedule is just that, traditional.

“existing in or as part of a tradition; long-established”

Most of us most-likely grew up eating this way.

We would eat a breakfast before, or at school.

Then, we’d go to lunch with our classmates.

We may have a small snack when we get home and do our homework.

Then, we’d eat dinner with our family.

As we moved off on our own, we might have continued.

This is engrained in us.

If we refer back to what food is - calories, and what calories are - energy, then this system seems to make a lot of sense?

We use breakfast to fuel for the day. Lunch is the midpoint that fuels our afternoon. The snack gets us over the hump. And dinner is our final reward for a long day, holding us over until the next day.

If your days are fairly consistent with a low to moderate activity level, this may be a great approach for you!

If you are more active or have a hectic schedule, you may want to consider a grazing approach!

Grazing Eating

A more active, busier schedule most likely requires MORE energy.

And remember, energy = calories = food.

If we’re exercising often, moving about with our careers with large forms of N.E.A.T. (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis), we need more fuel.

Because of this necessity, and probably more non-traditional windows for eating, grazing is an effective method.

In the grazing approach, you eat often, usually smaller meals, providing constant fuel.

Pros and Cons

Traditional

Pros: Consistent Schedule, Planning & Prep is Easier, Larger Meals (more full), Good Approach for Weight-Loss (Limited Feedings)

Cons: Requires more Time during Consumption, Less Snacking, May involve energy depletion towards end of windows before next Feed

Grazing

Pros: Requires less Time during Consumption, More Snacking opportunities, Constant Energy, Good for Weight-Gain/Bulk’

Cons: Often requires planning on-the-go snacks, Smaller Meals (less full), Bad for Weight-Loss Attempts b/c of constant desire to eat

What’s Best for Me?

They could BOTH work for you!

Our approach with usually anything is to test for yourself with compliance.

It’s hard to understand definitively if anything works if we don’t stick to it.

We’d encourage you to try both of these for 7-10 days, with compliance, and see which approach makes you feel and perform the best.

Things to consider:

• If you already struggle with overeating, Traditional may be best (if you choose Grazing, just keep the portions small)

• If you struggle with macro-friendly snacks/small plates, grazing may be difficult to achieve

• If you enjoy the process of planning, prepping, and cooking large meals, Traditional may be more favorable

• If you enjoy eating often, Grazing is going to be preferred

And also remember, more energy out (exercise and activity) requires more energy in, whether you’re getting that from 3-4 LARGE meals (TRADITIONAL) or 5-7 SMALL meals (GRAZING).

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If you’d like help planning your feeding schedule, we’d love to partner with you on that journey!

Fill out our Initial Assessment Questionnaire to get started with us today.

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Have a GREAT weekend & God bless!

Best,

Eli Grambling

Founder, Head Coach | E3 Nutrition