Although obesity, diabetes and other diet-related health problems are rampant throughout the country, they are highly preventable in almost all cases. It’s important to make changes before the problems start, but many men are unsure of what, exactly, they should be eating. Here are some of the best foods for a healthy diet.:
Meat, Eggs and Dairy
Fresh, unprocessed animal products provide the full scope of essential amino acids as well as some vitamins and minerals not found in plant-based foods. These include iron, vitamin A and vitamin B12, all of which are necessary for proper metabolism and nervous system function.
You also receive saturated fats from animal products. This wrongly-maligned fat is critical for the production of testosterone, which boosts metabolism, stimulates muscle growth and improves energy and endurance levels. You can also improve your exercise performance by adding a pre-workout supplement to your diet.
Fresh Fruit and Veggies
It’s recommended that you have fresh fruit or vegetables with every meal. These supply soluble and insoluble fiber, which improves digestive efficiency and helps you absorb more nutrients. Furthermore, soluble fiber from plant foods feed probiotic gut bacteria. Studies have shown that these beneficial flora produce serotonin, which enhances mood and reduces junk food cravings.
When you eat vegetables, it’s a good idea to consume them with a source of fat like olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil or real butter. This will aid the absorption and utilization of the fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D and K.
Nuts
Tree nuts and peanuts are fantastic ideas for snacking or adding to meals. They contain a wide array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support good physical and psychological health. Some nuts, such as walnuts provide ample amounts of omega-3, which has been shown to aid fat loss. Furthermore, their status as a protein-rich food makes them ideal for curbing occasional junk binges. To further boost your consumption of healthy fats, consider an omega-3 supplement.
Water
While water isn’t technically considered a food, it deserves to be mentioned here simply because of its importance as part of a healthy diet. Your kidneys use water to clear out wastes, but when water supplies are short, they don’t work so well. At this point, your liver deviates from its normal role of metabolizing food and body fat into energy, providing backup filtration instead. While your liver is doing this, you aren’t burning fat and you may even be gaining some. Staying fully hydrated at all times ensures that your liver is free to help you avoid obesity.
