Do real men really worry about food and health? Isn’t that women’s stuff? Men eat steak, drink beer and when they get sick go to a doctor who fixes them up so they can eat more steak and drink more beer. Right?
That caveman attitude may have held sway in the last few decades, but not necessarily today.
At least two national magazines– Men’s Health and Men’s Fitness– base their circulation on men interested in a more healthful lifestyle.
Even Penthouse Magazine, unarguably a publication directed to primal male desires, dedicates three or four pages an issue to diet and health matters.
“Whether by force or happenstance, men are being put in a position where they have to control their diet,” says Richard Mattes, a registered dietitian and professor of nutrition at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. Mattes is chairman-elect of the ADA’s council on research.
Women have joined the work force or for other reasons are not devoting their lives to caring for husbands or sons, he says. “So men are having to do things women have traditionally done, one of which is selecting and buying food for themselves and the family And often those choices are based on health considerations.”
A survey by Men’s Health magazine and Cable News Network found that 73 percent of American men say they are at least somewhat involved in their families’ food choices. And the annual poll on men’s health conducted by the American Dietetic Association found only 3 percent of men who take no part in choosing the foods for their households. That’s down from 11 percent in 1994.
Of course, some of it could be machismo. What self-respecting man would admit to not having a say in what his family eats?
“It’s not all macho,” Mattes says, “I think there is a far higher proportion of men involved in food than is widely appreciated. At least two-thirds of men (in the ADA survey) had some influence on at least half of their family’s food seiection and preparation.”
How did this come about?
“Before we had a sophisticated food supply, the main concern in obtaining food was quantity and safety,” says Mattes. “Now with regulations and standardizations, the safety issues are not as prevalent. The thinking has changed to what is best for health.”
At the same time there is a growing awareness that nutrition and health are related, he says. Heart disease and other chronic disorders are strongly linked to diet. And heart disease hits men disproportionately, at least younger and middle-aged men.
“Our understanding of the health promoting properties in foods is rapidly expanding,” Mattes says. “And the accumulating information underscores the view that eating a variety of foods is the best self-defense mechanism against disease.”
Both surveys show men believe food is intimately connected to health and well-being. Almost 95 percent of the 1,000 men who participated in the Men’s Health poll said eating a healthful diet and exercising can help prevent problems such as heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol. Heart disease tops the list of health concerns in that survey-AIDS is a close second.
Asked why they eat right, 42 percent of the men (more older men than younger) in the ADA survey listed health maintenance and disease prevention as their primary reason. The second was physical fitness.
Given the opportunity to ask a nutrition expert one question, the question most frequently posed by the 493 men in the survey was “What foods are the best ones?”
Men do have a tendency to “know it all,” both surveys illustrated. About 30 percent of the men in the ADA poll said they have no nutrition questions to ask experts. And the Men’s Health survey showed that 45 percent of the men hadn’t visited a doctor for checkup or physical exam in the past year.
The surveys raise some other red flags, says Mattes.
“Based on the results it appears men are falling prey to the good food/bad food syndrome,” he says, the myth that some individual foods are beneficial to health and others dangerous.
“It’s simple to think of the diet in those terms,” Mattes says, “but in the long run men will be happier knowing that no foods are prohibited. As soon as you start prohibiting foods they become forbidden fruits.
“There are no miracle foods, foods that take on characteristics beyond their normal function as fuel and nourishment. Those are myths we want to dispel.
“It’s important to realize that the total diet is what is important. But communicating that concept will take a more vigorous campaign.”
TIME FOR A MENTAL WORKOUT
OK, guy. How much do you know about your nutrition? Do you have the guts to take this quiz–put together by the American Dietetic Association–and not look at the answers until you’ve finished?
1. T or F? Taking extra vitamins and protein-powder supplements will enhance physical performance and increase muscle size and strength.
2. T or F? Caffeine consumption, from drinking coffee, tea or soda, is linked to heart disease in men.
3. T or F? Consuming fiber-rich foods is important for men to prevent gastrointestinal diseases, such as colon cancer and diverticulitis.
4. T or F? Men usually gain weight in the center of their bodies, particularly around their stomach.
5. What’s the best time to eat a meal before working out? a.) 1 to 2 hours beforehand b.) 2 to 4 hours c.) 5 to 6 hours d.) more than 6 hours
6. T or F? Men usually consume plenty of fiber.
7. T or F? There are no differences in the amounts of fiber between orange juice, oranges or fiber supplements–all are equal.
8. T or F? “Lite” or “Light” beers have less fat than regular beers.
9. T or F? The best way to tell whether you are fit is to compare your weight and height to the numbers listed on standardized weight and height charts.
10. T or F? You should eliminate high-fat and high-calorie foods from your eating plans if you want to be healthy.
ANSWERS:
1. False. There is no scientific evidence that extra vitamins or protein supplements will increase performance or muscle size or strength. Both are determined by several factors, including genetics and physical activity.
2. False. To date there has not been a clear scientific link between caffeine consumption and heart disease.
3. True. Adequate intake of dietary fiber is known to help prevent gastrointestinal diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and certain forms of cancer.
4. True. This is especially true as men age and become less physically active. Excess mid-region weight has been linked to various diseases, including heart disease and certain cancers.
5. b. Meals eaten 2 to 4 hours before a workout provide energy without discomfort. Fluid replacement is essential before, during and after a workout.
6. False. American men get half the recommended amount of dietary fiber. Those who eat adequate amounts of fiber are less likely to suffer constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticular disease.
7. False. The more closely foods resemble the original plant, the more dietary fiber they will have. An orange has more dietary fiber than orange juice.
8. False. No beer has fat, but some have more calories than others.
9. False. Charts don’t show the whole picture. To be sure you’re fit, not fat, check with a registered dietitian and certified exercise therapist.
10. False. Nutrition experts agree that taking away favorite foods is a recipe for disaster. Moderation and portion control are key–it is what you eat over time that makes a difference, not a single food or meal.
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Steven Pratt’s e-mail address is SMPratt (copyright) aol.com
