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.
