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Diet therapy

Simple ways to improve men’s health

If you want to prolong the life of the man in your life here are some simple tips:

Be proud of him just as he is

That’s right if you care enough about his health (to worry about his weight or cholesterol level) then you have to let him know it’s because he is so great that you want to keep him well.

Be Supportive

You can’t change other people only yourselves. However you can support him by providing a healthier environment in which to live. So think about how you shop, what you cook, how you socialise, your alcohol intake and the food you eat when you are out. If you make good choices when you select food for yourself then you support and encourage him because you lead by example.

Shop well

You can really reduce his risk of heart disease if you buy low-fat foods, such as trim milk, Edam cheese, lean meats. Reduce the amount of meat you buy, eat more fish and bulk up meals with more fruit and vegetables. Replace the snacks such as biscuits, crisps and crackers with more whole grain breads, pikelets and muffins and fruit.

Watch the takeaways

Try to steer him away from fish and chips in favour of a couple of hamburgers packed with salad, pineapple and onion rings, or a souvlaki, some sushi or an Asian meal with steamed rice and lots of vegetables. If he insists on fries with his takeaways then buy wedges as they have slightly less fat than shoestring varieties or the crinkle cuts.

Push the Fluids

Men find it hard to drink around 3+litres each day. So offer trim milk smoothies after work, lime and sodas and cups of tea regularly. Keep a jug of water handy if serving alcoholic drinks. Encourage him to take a drink bottle in the car or if off to sport or golf.

Push tomatoes

Prostrate cancer is big news at the moment killing around 2000 men in New Zealand each year.Tomatoes contain lycopene a powerful antioxidant that protects us against cancer. The more concentrated it is the better. So tomato juice, tomato puree (in pasta dishes) and tomato soup are good ways of increasing lycopene intake.

Serve potatoes

These are a good source of folate and fibre and are three times more filling for the same number of calories than rice and pasta. Just try not to fry them. Folate is also found in green vegetables which can reduce stroke by up to 20%.

Encourage him to exercise

Try to build all your free time together around getting more physical. Going for walks, swimming, running, kicking a ball, dancing ..just try to get more active. If all fails hire or invest in an exercycle for yourself. Men love gadgets and he is bound to want to try it out too.

If you would like a free wellness questionnaire for him to fill out then contact us for a copy.

About the author View all

Lea Stening

Lea is one of New Zealand’s leading paediatric dietitians and also specialises in Sports Nutrition. She has specialised in Paediatric Nutrition for 31 years and in 1985 was the first paediatric dietitian to enter private practice in New Zealand. Lea helps families through her private consultations, public lectures, newspaper and magazine articles as well as television and radio interviews. Read more »

View all posts by Lea Stening »

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