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Are blokes losing the battle of the bulge?
Conversation started by nutritionistnicole
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There are actually more overweight or obese blokes than women, even though women worry about it and talk about it more. But it’s time Aussie blokes got serious about busting their belly if they want to take themselves off the endangered species list.
Two thirds of Aussie blokes are carrying excess baggage, and it’s around their middlewhere it causes the most health havoc. The problem gets worse with age: only 1
in 4 men over 55 are in the healthy weight range! A big belly is bad for their health, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, bowel cancer, low testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction (OK, this is serious now).
Christmas is a risky time for weight gain but blokes need to stay in control if they want to bust their belly: Limit the boozeAvoid sweetened drinks- you could do without the 10-12 teaspoons of sugar per can Get out and move Avoid party pig outs and go easy. All those little mouthfuls add up. When eating out, remember to fill half your plate with vegetables or salad Make the best of the warmer weather and eat lighter: more salads and less deep fried nasties.
How women can help their man bust his belly Be healthy together- support each other in eating better and exercising more Share your food knowledge to help bridge the gap Encourage him to cook
Blokes are behind the eight-ball because generally they don’t know as much about food and don’t cook: I call it the food knowledge gap. Yeah I know, massive generalisation and gradually changing but broadly true. Most blokes eat what they’re given or whatever is close to hand, and we know restaurants, cafes, take-aways,clubs and pubs serve food more suited to ditch-diggers than blokes who sit down to work.
Blokes need to know how to navigate the fattening food jungle and learn to hunt and gather better food. They also need to conquer the kitchen to bust their belly. Belly Busting for Blokes shows them the way with eating plans, shopping tips, exercise advice and simple, classic blokey recipes with a healthy twist. We tell them straight in simple language and we don’t sugar-coat it: they can handle it. It’s belly busting in the real world for real blokes.
Here are some belly-busting tips: Don’t be fooled: it’s all cake. A muffin is a cake baked in a muffin tray. Banana bread is not bread, its cake. Date loaf is cake too, and carrot cake is not a serve of vegetables! Don’t even think about regular soft drink. A 375ml can of cola contains 10 teaspoonsof sugar. If you must, choose a zero sugar option. Although fruit juices are
healthier, they contain the same amount of sugar and kilojoules so give them a miss to bust your belly. The colour of your meal is a good indication of how healthy it is. Contrasting colours are good. Steer clear of the monotone
deep-fried nasties (such as fried chicken and chips) and have a hamburger instead (one pattie is plenty) with egg and salad but skip the bacon, cheesea nd fries. It’s time for Aussie blokes to fightback for their health, their pride, their manhood and better-fitting trousers. Gentleman, start your engines…Help is at hand from www.bellybusting.com.au -
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BeverlyHealthShare Member
Hi Nicole
Thanks for your informative 5 Steps to Bust the Bulge, my husband has developed a bulge and I am trying so hard to to help him, even though I am very careful that I cook healthily it is when he is not with me that I think he eats the wrong foods. I am going ensure that he reads your blurb and tries to take your tips and hopefully he will “beat the bulge”.
Thanks for the information.
BeverlyReport this post
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Nicole Senior
Dietitian, Nutritionist
I'm an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Nutritionist, consultant, author, speaker and food and health enthusiast. I love talking and writing about food and health.(please note, … View Profile
Hi Beverly,
I think you've identified a common problem, and that is blokes who eat well in domestic captivity (so to speak!) but struggle to eat well when they're free to roam in the wilds of the modern food jungle. Of course you're doing a great job setting up a good nutritional foundation but its a matter of awareness, knowledge and motivation that determines what he does out and about. Belly Busting for Blokes is our attempt to address knowledge and awareness, but motivation is a bit more complex. He's got to want to do it. We women partners have to walk a fine line between awareness-raising, encouragement and facilitation, and nagging (which blokes dislike as a rule, despite our best intentions). A great strategy is to embark on a healthier eating journey together and support each other and hopefully have another person to be accountable to when that's required. The support of other blokes is important too. It's like the old saying goes, no man is an island…Report this post
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NarelleHealthShare Member
Great post, thank you Nicole. As women we worry so much about weight management and it is clearly becoming an epidemic for men in Australia! I find that teaching men the simply tricks like skim milk, low cal soft drinks, multi grain bread vs. white, no butter on the sandwich etc goes a long way in helping them. They are not as in tune as we women are with all the tips. Thanks for the great post
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