Healthy eating for men (and how to take better overall care of your health)

When it comes to taking care of your overall health, men typically take less care of themselves compared to women. Men are more likely to smoke and drink, make unhealthy or risky choices and put off (or skip) routine checkups, ignoring symptoms and delaying medical treatment until they absolutely have to.

Men also tend to take supplements instead of focusing on a healthy diet and getting the nutrients they need from what they eat. But not all supplements are FDA approved, so relying on supplements alone can be a risky behavior in and of itself.

The FDA has fewer rules for dietary supplements compared to medications, and they don't determine whether dietary supplements are effective before they're marketed. So make sure you talk with your doctor before taking a dietary supplement.

Whether it be from social pressures of "ideal" masculinity, lack of awareness or even time and money constraints, the reasons why men don't take care of their health as much as women do are complex and multifaceted.

Healthy recipes for men to boost overall health

Following a healthy dietary pattern is key to staying healthy overall. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and The American Heart Association recommend a healthy dietary pattern to reduce your risk for diet related diseases like heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Make every bite count by choosing food and recipes that are rich in nutrients. Here are some great recipes the help you eat healthier and naturally improve your overall health:

Taking action for a healthy life

There are several ways you can encourage the men in your life to prioritize their health. Help them feel comfortable seeking help when they need it, encourage them to keep up with preventive health care (with well-visits to doctors and other health care providers) and help them focus on a healthy dietary pattern instead of taking supplements.

And men: by trying out new recipes, you can take steps towards a healthier diet that supports a healthier life.

Next steps:

Learn more about Main Line Health's nutrition counseling and weight management services
Register for an upcoming cooking class
Explore more dietitian-approved recipes

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