10 Foods Men Should Avoid Eating
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Getting fit doesn't only mean that exercise has to be added – and strictly followed – to one's everyday life. It also means avoiding some foods that aren't good for the health. For men, that couldn't be any different.
There are some food items that men should avoid if they want to be fit, healthy and active, says Men's Fitness. These foods need not be very adventurous. In fact, they could even be part of a man's everyday diet.
Here are 10 food choices that men should avoid.
Soy
Did you know that soy, although considered healthy, can cause side effects specific for men? A study found in the Oxford Journal showed that men who had half a serving of soy everyday for three months had about 41million sperm/ml less sperm compared to those who didn't have soy.
Researchers believe that isoflavones, plant compounds with estrogen-like effects, caused this finding. Say goodbye to those soy-based protein foods!
French Fries
MF says that this favorite snack food contains a lot of oils and trans fats, which cause heart attacks. Second, it also contains a high glycemic index, which leads to an increase in insulin levels and waist measurements. Third, it contains acrylamide, a cancer-causing agent that is formed when foods are fried or baked at high temperatures. Careful!
Diet Soda
Don't let the “diet” fool you. A Purdue University study has found that when the body is fooled by taking in sweeteners, it releases insulin to counter the presumed level of sugar. This, in turn, becomes stored fat. “Diet soda” actually makes you fat.
Alcohol
While many like to drink alcohol, MF says it's a no-no. Alcohol slows down motor skills, decreases strength and agility and inhibits muscle recovery. It also is a diuretic, which will really drain you, and means that you'll need to hydrate yourself again and again.
Baked Goods
Donuts, cookies, cakes and muffins all contain high calorie counts and sugar levels, says MF. Eating chocolate chip cookies, for example, will quickly fill your daily recommended amount of calories, while racking up fats as well.
Lunch Meat
Deli meat, such as turkey ham and others, contain a high amount of sodium, says a study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A high sodium intake is associated with a higher risk for heart disease and cancer. Instead of lunch meats, choose to chomp on chicken breasts, rotisserie chicken or fresh turkey meat instead.
Shark Meat
Although seafood has been considered healthy, shark meat isn't, reports CNN. Shark meat contains mercury levels that might cause a loss of coordination, blindness and even death. This is because sharks are believed to feast on smaller fish that contain mercury.
Also, avoid king mackerel, swordfish and tilefish, as these have high mercury levels too, says the Environmental Protection Agency's guidelines. Instead of these, choose to eat light canned tuna, salmon, pollock and shrimp instead.
Potato Chips
While it feels good to munch on potato chips, it goes without saying that they are deep-fried in oils that contain high trans fat levels, helping raise cholesterol levels and thereby raise your risks for heart disease, says MF. Careful!
Condiments
Ketchup, BBQ sauce, dressings and mayo all rack up the amounts of unnecessary fats, sugar and calories in your food. Instead of bathing your meal in these, choose mustard, salsa, pesto, olive oil or vinegar instead.
Fruit Juice
While others may have labels that say it has vitamins in it, most fruit juices are loaded with added sugar, says MF. Choose to go with natural, unsweetened juices like grape or cherry. These can help you recover after a workout by helping maintain regular blood flow, boosting your cardiovascular health and supplying you with antioxidants.
