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| Start your Diet Profile here... It's FREE! |
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| Healthy Eating For Men |
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Finding time to eat right is often a challenge for the busy men on the run. No time for breakfast;
Business lunches; Working late or evening cocktails; all these make it difficut to eat right.
How do you deal with eating on the run and what can you do to make sure that you are eating right?
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USE THE RIGHT FUEL
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Your body is like your car -- it has to have the right fuel for it to perform well. Just
as your car performs better with premium gas, your body performs best with premium food that
give you all the carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals your body needs -- but all in
the right balance.
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Fuel your body with carbohydrates
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Our best source of fuel is carbohydrate. Carbohydrate is what the body uses for energy. It is
stored in two forms: as glycogen in our muscles and liver for a quick energy source, and stored
as fat in the rest of the body. Sixty to 65 percent of your diet should be from carbohydrate,
that is 6 to 11 servings of bread, rice, cereal, pasta, rolls, and other grains. Complex
carbohydrate such as those listed above are best; simple carbohydrate like sugar, honey, syrup,
non-diet pop, cakes, cookies and desserts provide calories but little else.
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Pump up with protein
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Protein is the building block of muscle and blood. You do not need a lot of it -- only about 6 - 9
ounces per day--but make what you take count. The best sources of protein are lean meat, fish,
poultry, dried beans & lentils, tofu, low-fat dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), and eggs.
If you are body building, you only need an extra 3-5 ounces per day which is another glass of milk!
The main source for body building is carbohydrates, not protein. There is no need to eat large
amounts of meat nor take protein supplements. Excess protein that is not required by the body is
stored as fat. Excess protein is also broken down and passed out in the urine placing
additional load on your kidneys.
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Fat make you fat
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Fat packs more than twice as many calories as protein or carbohydrate gram for gram (9 for fat
versus 4 calories per gram of protein or carbohydrate). Some fat is essential for good health--but
most people eat three to four times more than they need. If you eat meat and dairy products or use
oil in your cooking, you are probably getting enough fat. In fact you have to watch the fat in your
diet; look out for crispy fried foods, cream sauces & gravies, fat on the meat, and high-fat
snack foods.
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Tips for better nutrition
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- Follow the Food Guide Pyramid guidelines.
- Watch for added fats to your diet such as butter.margarine on bread, mayo in sandwiches, etc.
- Consider how a food is prepared and go for items that are baked, roasted, poached or steamed.
- Include at least a serving of vegetable at every meal.
- Get your 2-4 servings of fruit each day - snack on fruits between meals or with meals.
- If you are having a big meal later, have a lighter lunch.
- Avoid all-you-can-eat buffets.
- Drink in moderation if you entertain often (alcohol pack a whopping 150 calories per can of
beer, 100-120 calories per shot of whiskey, another 150 calories for a can of soft drink)
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
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| Did You Know That... |
- A man in his 50s who exercises regularly has more energy and a better sex life, and
can work longer hours than someone who doesn't?
- Five of the ten leading causes of death and disease are directly associated with
diet?
- Two-thirds of all American CEOs exercise at least three times a week?
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| Source: American Dietetic Association (ADA) brochure "Food Strategies for Men," 1991
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Make time for exercise
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You cannot afford not to. Your health depends on it. Set aside time 2 - 3 times per week either in
the morning before work, during lunch or after work to do an activity for at least 30 minutes. You
can jog, swim, play badminton, join a health club, or whatever works for you. In addition, increase
your daily activity such as walking more (park your car further away, take the stairs, leave 5
minutes earlier so that you can get off a stop earlier & walk). Little things do add up.
Increasing physical activity stokes the metabolic fire so calories burn faster and helps keep your
weight down!
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Looking for answers
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| Here are some questions men often ask registered dietitians (RD). |
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| 1. How do I know if my weight is healthy? |
Start by using the BMI (Body Mass Index)
calculator to find out if you are within a healthy weight range. Being over
or underweight is associated with health problems. Excess weight increases your
risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure.
Being underweight has been linked to heart problems, lowered resistance to infection,
chronic fatigue, depression, and other illnesses. A "spare tire" or excess accumulations
of body fat, particularly in the stomach area,
have been linked to increased risks of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Make changes to gradually decrease or increase your weight.
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2. What can I do to lower my blood cholesterol?
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Cholesterol is essential for life to make strong cell membranes and hormones. The body manufactures
about 1,000 mg of cholesterol daily. Too much cholesterol can cause fatty plaques on arterial walls
which narrows the artery. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. The build-up of fat on the
vessel walls can occlude and in some case totally block the flow of blood to important organs like
the heart and brain. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found only in animal products. The highest
sources of cholesterol come from organ meats (example: liver, kidney, brain, heart, tripe) and
eggs, but other common sources are any type of meat, poultry, cheese, and butterfat. American
men generally consume 300 to 420 milligrams of cholesterol a day. The recommended amount is no
more than 300 mg per day for the average person.
To lower your blood cholesterol levels, firstly follow your physician's advice for prescribed
treatment. Other interventions include not just cutting back on high cholesterol foods, but also
the total amount of fat you eat AND increasing your level of physical activity.
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3. Can you give me some tips for healthy eating?
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Check out the Healthy Eating Tips as well as look up
Food Guide Pyramid to learn how to have variety, moderation & balance in your daily meals.
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4. Do I really need to be physically active?
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Did you know that a physically active man has more energy and can work longer hours than one who is
sedentary? Think of physical activity as doing preventive body maintenance to keep you from
becoming overweight and to provide protection from heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Before you
get started, get a physical exam from a physician, especially if you are over 40, overweight or
have heart, circulation, joint, or bone problems. Find a variety of activities you like, then start
slowly. Begin with moderate physical activity, such as walking --every bit helps. If you lack
motivation, find a partner or a group program that meets regularly. Take time to see how far you've
come. Do you feel more energized? Are you less stressed?
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| REMEMBER YOU ARE WHAT AND HOW MUCH YOU EAT |
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