Rosalee Brown
MEN ARE touted as being strong, risk takers, invincible and lead role players. These assumed qualities often influence men's lifestyle behaviour, including their nutrition-related practices.
Nutrition is important throughout the life cycle to both sexes, but as early as age three, there is a small gender difference in some nutrient requirement, especially proteins and total energy. This difference in nutrient requirement is influenced by the difference in body composition as, in general, males have a greater muscle mass than females and therefore require larger amounts of fuel to keep their metabolism going. The slight incremental difference in protein and energy needs, increase with age for the maintenance of this muscle mass.
TEENAGE HABIT
The period of the early to late teens is usually one of rapid development in males and they demand even greater energy intake than during childhood to keep pace with their growth and in general, large energy output.
Often, parents wonder how is it possible for their boys to consume so much food but it is necessary to provide healthy energy choices, such as ground provisions, cereals (including dumplings), and whole fruits and minimise the sources of simple sugars such as juices. Although these teen boys are more active at this stage, many are consuming more energy than their energy output and are gaining excess body fat as a result. Men tend to increase body fat around the middle, which increases their disease risk.
For many men, there is a decline in physical activity in their adult years but their food intake remains the same or increases many times over. Their eating pattern becomes unstructured and very often the content of their diets takes on a less healthy variety.
This is coupled with the fact that in general men do not readily seek medical attention, unless mandated by their place of work or nagged into action by their significant other. Many men will often boast that they have never been to a doctor because they are not sick. This is a false notion, as many times when they finally make the trip to the doctor, it is a crisis situation, which could have been prevented.
Many of the leading causes of men's health concerns are lifestyle related and many result from obesity and too little physical activity, so nutrition can play a positive role.
NUTRITION TIPS
Eat a varied diet from whole plant-based foods.
Reduce refined /processed starches.
Consume a wide variety of vegetables of varying colours, as one can benefit from the fibre, phytonutrients, along with the many vitamins and minerals.
Consume less total fat and less from animal sources, consume some nuts and oils seeds such as flax, on a regular basis, as well as fish such as mackerel or salmon for the healthy omega-3 fats.
Consume red fruits and vegetables, especially cooked tomato products for their lycopene properties, which are prostate friendly.
Consume peas and beans, oatmeal, and other high-fibre foods, as they play a role in bowel health, the lowering of bad cholesterol and controlling sudden peaks in blood sugars as compared to their refined counterparts.
Consume less high sodium foods.
Drink less alcohol.
Consume more water and less juices.
Rosalee M. Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
