Food is essential to man. Along with water and air, food is part of the physiological needs of man under Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. Without them, man will die.
Foods are classified into those that provide energy, those that assist in the growth and repair of the body tissues, and those that provide vitamins and minerals to the body. While the dietary requirements for men and women vary, the following foods are the best for masculine population.
According to Men’s Health, meat, poultry, and fish are ways to go. The aforementioned triad has protein as common element and it is known that protein helps in the growth and repair of body cells and tissues. In fact, a man needs at least 30 grams of protein per meal, specifically, to boost its functions in the body.
Additional protein sources include hotdogs, bacon, sausage, rib eye, ground beef, ground or roast turkey, boneless center cuts, duck legs, ham, and chorizo.
Aside from meat, broccoli also stands out as one of the best food choices for men. According to the Canadian Bladder Cancer Network, bladder cancer ranks fifth among the most common cancer forms among men and 12th most common form of cancer in women. Studies have also found out that broccoli and its relatives – cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, and bok choy – can aid reduce the risk of multiple forms of cancer, including bladder cancer. The cruciferous vegetables contain highly potent anticancer compounds like sulforaphane and other isothiocyanates, which are known to help the body get rid of carcinogens and help the body repair damaged cells that could result to growth of tumors. The compounds are also known to delay the growth of cancer cells and boost their self-destruction.
While fish is considered a good source of protein and zinc, oysters are also viewed as a food that boosts men’s health. According to Best Health Mag, oysters are excellent sources of the mineral zinc, which aids in wound healing, digestive health, and increased fertility. The publication added that low zinc levels entail less semen, low sperm count, less sperm movement toward the cervical goal, and infertility. Thus, oysters contribute to the overall vitality of a man.
Aside from animal sources, men can boost their strength, leanness, and health with almonds. According to Men’s Fitness, almonds are high in protein, fiber, and vitamin E, which contribute to the overall health of the cardiovascular, digestive, and integumentary systems. While they also contain healthy unsaturated fats, men do not eat them because of their calorie density, which has been proved to be wrong. Loma Linda University Medicine professor Gary Fraser compared a group of subjects who added two ounces of almonds to their diet on a regular basis and a group of subjects who did not have almonds in their diet. His team found out that the two groups had no significant weight change. According to Fraser, a considerable amount of calories in nuts are not absorbed by the body, since they are such a “hard food.” Thus, it is recommended for men to try keeping a bag of dry-roasted or lightly seasoned almonds the desk drawer rather than buying from the vending machine. Almond butter can also be added in smoothies, and peanut butter can also be used as a sandwich spread.
Another plant food sources are bananas. Bananas are typically eaten by men who hit the gym, as the yellow fruit is a rich source of potassium, which helps in muscular contraction during workout. As a result, men will be able to life more, allowing increased muscle growth. According to Medicine Net, bananas are also excellent sourced of quick energy and magnesium. The combo action of energy, potassium, and magnesium also helps regulate the nerves, the heart, and blood pressure.
Along with proper diet, regular exercise and high guts of discipline are important to enhance the totality of man’s health.