As you start to think about your New Year’s diet (really, don’t we all have one planned?), a small Norwegian study has found a little eating between meals won’t necessarily torpedo your weight-loss goals.

Researchers found that women who engaged in “nibbling” — defined as unplanned or repetitious eating between meals — didn’t have a higher body mass index than those who didn’t do so.

Of course, what you eat when nibbling matters. Here in the US, we’re less likely to reach for fruits and vegetables and more apt to consume junk food like candy bars and potato chips, which may be one reason we’re so often warned about the perils of grazing between meals.

Experts say if you must snack, plan out the food ahead of time so you won’t be tempted by what’s most readily available in a vending machine or a fast-food drive-through.

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