By Susan Bowerman M.S., RD, CSSD, CSOWM, FAND – Sr. Director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training, Herbalife Nutrition.
The
old saying that “men are from Mars and women are from Venus” seems to apply
when it comes to nutrition.
While women tend to fret about their
weight and pore over food labels, men often have a more relaxed attitude when
it comes to their diets. Maybe it’s because most guys burn through calories a
lot faster than women do – so they figure they can get away with eating
whatever they want.
Going
Beyond Body Weight
The assumption seems to be that as
long as their weight is in check, they really don’t have to give much thought
to what they eat. But that’s not really the case.
Body weight is only a part of the
picture. How much body fat you have, where that fat settles on your frame,
along with the overall quality of your diet – all contribute to your wellbeing.
Let’s say you don’t do much exercise,
but your weight is reasonable. Don’t let that fool you: you could still be
carrying around way too much body fat. And while excess body fat is a concern
for everyone, guys are more likely to carry that excess weight around the
middle, which is much more damaging to health than the fat that women tend to
accumulate on their hips and thighs.
So, while keeping your weight down is
key, you need to do it the right way.
What
Should Men Eat for Health and Good Nutrition
Simply eating less only works when the
nutritional quality of your diet is above par. Eating less of a poor diet may
cut calories, but you’ll still be selling yourself short on nutrition. Instead,
you want to pack the most nutrition you can into each bite by keeping your
focus on healthy food: vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Place an emphasis on heart-healthy
foods. If most of your carb calories are coming from chips and soda, look
instead to foods like oats, beans, berries, plums, broccoli, and carrots.
They’re great sources of soluble fiber and can help to help keep cholesterol
levels in check.
Also consider seafood that’s low in
fat and calories, yet rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. These should
be on your menu as often as possible.
Finding
Time to Invest in Your Wellbeing
One of the biggest barriers to taking
care of yourself is time. You may find yourself so busy that it becomes too
easy to skip meals or grab something on-the-go. But skipping meals usually
backfires, and you just wind up overeating at your next meal.
And if you don’t make the time to
exercise, you’ll gain more belly fat and your sleep will likely suffer, too.
Then, you might find yourself turning to sugary foods and drinks to boost your
flagging energy – which just puts more weight on you, and the cycle continues.
If you’re breakfast skipper, set a
goal of having a healthy meal a few mornings a week. If you don’t have time to
sit down for breakfast, grab a carton of yogurt and a piece of fruit, or whip
up a protein shake with some milk and fruit and take it with you.
If you tend to grab meals on the run
during the day, think about packing your lunch a couple of days a week or
preparing a home-cooked meal once or twice a week. It will give you a lot more
control over your what you eat…and how much.
Lastly, try writing down what you eat
for a couple of days. It’s the best way to come face-to-face with your eating
habits – for better or for worse. There’s nothing quite like a good hard look
at the skipped meals, the salty snacks or a severe shortage of fruits and
vegetables to spark a diet makeover.
About Herbalife Nutrition
Herbalife
Nutrition is a global nutrition company whose purpose is to make the world
healthier and happier. The Company has been on a mission for nutrition -
changing people's lives with great nutrition products and programs - since
1980. Herbalife Nutrition offers high-quality,
science-backed products, one-on-one coaching with an Herbalife Nutrition
Independent Member, and a supportive community that inspires customers to
embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Herbalife
Nutrition’s targeted nutrition, weight-management, energy and fitness and
personal care products are available through its Independent Members in more
than 90 countries.
Herbalife
Nutrition supports the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation, a non-profit
organization that assists community
organizations focused on providing good nutrition. Herbalife Nutrition is also
proud to sponsor more than 190 world-class athletes, teams and events around
the globe.
Herbalife
Nutrition has more than 8,300 employees worldwide. To learn more, visit
IAmHerbalife.com.
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