Bite This, Not That for Better Men's Health

Along with Father's Day, June is Men's Health Month! Feed your man right this month (and always) to keep him healthy and strong for the long run. Below are some tips. Bite this:

1. Tomatoes. Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, a phytochemical found in tomatoes and watermelon. This powerful nutrient fights prostate cancer and heart disease. Choose cooked or processed tomato products (sauce, paste, ketchup) over raw as lycopene is better absorbed this way.
2. Whole grains. Oats, bran and whole wheat bread are just a few examples of whole grains to include in your man's diet each day. Consuming whole grains helps prevent diabetes, heart disease and possibly colon cancer. But don't stop there. Try brown rice, quinoa, barley, bulgur and whole wheat pasta for a change of pace.
3. Nuts. Recent research suggests that a little over 2 oz of nuts (about 2 tablespoons per day) can help lower LDL (lousy) cholesterol. Chop and add to salads, or replace chips and pretzels with nuts for a crunchy snack.
4. Marinated chicken or fish. Let's face it. June is grillin' season. Unfortunately, a high consumption of grilled meat, especially red meat has been linked with a higher rate of colon cancer and heart disease. Marinating leaner meats or cooking at lower temperatures may reduce the production of harmful carcinogenic compounds such as HCA and PCA.
5. Yogurt. Yes, real men eat yogurt. Here's why. It's loaded with calcium and vitamin D, two nutrients that help lower blood pressure. Choose low fat plain or vanilla when possible to limit added sugar and artificial ingredients.

Not that:

1. Processed meats. Skip the brats, metts, hot dogs and sausage this grilling season. Recent research finds a big boost in risk for heart disease and diabetes in men that consume the most of these "extruded" meats.
2. Sodium. Experts believe we'll all have high blood pressure if we live long enough and a diet high in sodium is linked with hypertension. Think table salt has the most sodium? Think again. Put down the processed meats, fast food and frozen meals. This is where most of it is lurking.
3. Red meat. We know red meat consumption is linked with heart disease, but give your colon a favor and reduce your cow chow to just a few times a month. Red meat intake is linked with higher incidence of colon as well as prostate cancer. Ouch!
4. Trans fat. While many restaurants and now bakeries claim to be 'trans fat free', many processed foods may contain a tiny bit. Sadly, if just 2% of your calories come from trans fat, your risk for heart disease increases by 23%. Limit use of processed crackers, microwave popcorn, snacks and margarine. Light tub margarine has the least amount, but use it sparingly. If the words hydrogenated are in the ingredients, put it back on the shelf.
5. Sugar. While a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, excess can make your pant size go up! Kick the soda habit and choose iced tea with lemon or plain water instead. Don't fool yourself into thinking juice is better. While it's obviously healthier than soda, it's still got a high amount of natural or added sugar, which also adds extra calories to your daily total. Choose whole fruit when you've got a sweet tooth.

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