June 2022 Nutrition Blog
“Listen Up Men!”
By- Ellen Levine, MS, RDN, EP
June is Men’s Health month, so listen up men! It is no surprise that men do not pay as much attention to their health as women do. Often, men are not as attuned to changes within their bodies as women are. Women talk more about both their physical and emotional health which often results in help and solutions. Men, the time to start taking better care of yourself is now, here are few simple ways to take action.
First things first, when was the last time you saw your Physician? If it is has been more than one year, call and schedule an appointment. What you want to learn from this appointment is your cholesterol, triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure and PSA. This will give you a better idea of your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and prostate cancer. Once you know this, an individualized health plan can be created by your health providers.
What you learn from this appointment will reflect how you are currently dealing with stress as well as what you are consuming and how much you are moving. Are you taking steps to improve these areas of your life daily? If the answer is not an emphatic “yes!” that is okay, you are still here, so it is not too late. Make movement a priority. Your body was meant to move, do any activity you enjoy and do it for at least thirty minutes every day. Physical activity decreases the risk of these health issues and is a major factor in combatting stress. Next, take inventory of what you are eating and decrease or eliminate the most highly processed items, i.e., those that come from a box, bag, or a drive-up window. Make half of your plate vegetables, one quarter lean protein, and one quarter whole grains or starchy vegetable. Add a healthy fat like avocado or sauté your veggies in heart-healthy fresh garlic and extra virgin olive oil. Snack on an anti-inflammatory fresh summer fruit like berries with plain Greek yogurt or raw walnuts. On to the toughest one to deal with guys, stress. Talk! Talk to your friends, family, trusted-closed mouth person in a faith-based network or organization you belong to. Get involved in your community. Helping those less fortunate than you is a sure-fire way to uplift your spirits and develop the connections that all humans desire.
Do not be ashamed if you need to seek professional help from a Certified Personal Trainer, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, or Licensed Therapist in any or all these areas. Men have an innate desire and ability to fix things and solve problems, but this is too much for anyone to take on alone. Have the strength to recognize what you can manage and reach out to those more qualified for the rest. Feel better this summer by being proactive about your health and you will get to enjoy many more summers to come!