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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – CHICAGO – As part of National Men’s Health Week, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) encourages all men to build a healthful eating plan now to help prevent the development of illness and disease later in life. National Men’s Health Week is designed to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
“A nutrient-rich diet and a healthy lifestyle are your strongest line of defense against preventable illnesses, like heart disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke,” said registered dietitian and Academy spokesperson Jim White. “Even small steps towards a healthier lifestyle can really add up over time, giving you a much better chance of staying strong and in the game as you age.”
According to White, a healthy diet for men includes:
· Filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables. “Be sure to include tomatoes or something made from tomatoes like pasta sauce because research indicates that the antioxidant lycopene found in tomato products may help prevent prostate cancer.”
· Making at least half of your grains, whole grains. Replace refined grains with whole-grain bread, cereal, pasta, brown rice or oats.
· At least two to three 8-ounce servings of fish per week. Choose lean meats.
· At least 38 grams of fiber a day for younger men; 30 grams of fiber a day for men older than 50
· Choosing unsaturated fats like oils, nuts and salad dressings instead of saturated fats like full-fat dairy foods, butter and high-fat sweets
· 4,700 milligrams a day of potassium from fruits, vegetables, fish and milk
· Less sodium than you think. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, which is about 1 teaspoon of salt.
To help men of all ages understand the fundamentals of a healthful eating plan and how it can help them prevent and manage disease, the Academy has developed numerous resources, including:
· An infographic (pdf) illustrating how food and nutrition affects a man’s body
· A thirty-second public service announcement from registered dietitian and Academy President Ethan Bergman, offering easy tips to eat right for life
· Online resources at www.eatright.org/MensHealth offering cooking, fitness and behavior tips and much more.
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The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.
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