You are what you eat. This is a common expression which is often used but rarely implemented. Healthy eating is important for a perfect physical and mental health. Men usually hate dieting but don’t like their stomach protruding out as well. What they need to do is to follow a diet which has variety, moderation, and balance. So, here are some simple rules for healthy eating for men.
1. Avoid junk food
Burgers, pizzas, French fries, chips, pastries etc. all sound so delicious and tempting. But these are high on calorie content and have no nutritional value. Men with busy schedules don’t get enough time to eat breakfast or lunch at home. So, they grab these fast food items. But this should be completely avoided and replaced with healthy and nutritious food like vegetables, brown bread, sandwiches, and salads.
2. Gorge on vegetables and fruits
Vegetables and fruits provide you with lots of vitamins, minerals, and proteins. They have high nutritional value and are low in calories. There are many ways in which vegetables can be consumed like raw, grilled, steamed or fried. Lunch and dinner must include fruits and vegetables.
3. Cut down on your grease intake
Fatty foods are rich in calories. They should not be avoided completely as they are a good source of energy. But it should be only 25 percent of the whole diet. Unsaturated fat present in fish, nuts, and olive oil is essential. But saturated fats should be completely avoided as it increases the heart related risks in men. It is present in vegetable oil, meat products, sausages, butter, and cheese.
4. Do not skip meals
Our body needs energy at regular intervals during the day. Men usually skip breakfast or lunch that leads to low blood sugar levels causing sudden hunger pangs. It would eventually make you crave for more calories at dinner. This leads to overeating and increases body fat. So men should have small meals at regular intervals throughout the day. Moreover, you are at a greater risk of diabetes if you are avoiding meals.
5. Drink enough water
Men usually prefer beverages over drinking water. But water is an essential nutrient and it should be consumed adequately. It not only hydrates and nourishes your body but also helps in fat loss. The more water you drink the easier it becomes to shed those extra pounds. Two cups of water before every meal can do the trick for you.
6. Reduce your meal size along the day
Men usually skip breakfast, grab a burger in lunch and then gorge during dinner. But this is the completely wrong approach. You should eat your breakfast whole heartedly as you need energy to work all day. Then have a simple but healthy lunch. Dinner should be light because all that energy will not be used but stored in your body as fat.
7. Regular exercising
It is important for men to indulge in physical exercise. This is because they spend their whole day sitting in office without burning any calories. Some of the exercises beneficial for men are jogging, crunches, push-ups, swimming, and cycling. This helps you to control your weight.
8. Drink moderate amount of alcohol
Drink moderate amount of alcohol because excess alcohol is bad for your health. If you cannot avoid alcohol then try drinking not more than three standard sized drinks a day.
9. Do not take synthetic supplements
Men usually take supplements like vitamin tablets and steroids to stay fit. But if you are on a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, there is no need for you to take those extra supplements. The synthetic supplements can never nourish your body like natural food.
10. Treat yourself occasionally
You don’t need to starve yourself to stay healthy. Moderate treats will not do you any harm. This will actually keep you away from sudden hunger pangs for special food. In this way you can maintain a healthy diet and stay fit.