Most of us could stand to lose a few pounds. And according to the CDC’s obesity figures, 35 percent of us could stand to lose way more than a few. There are two ways to make that happen: 1) Exercise more. 2) Eat healthier. And we’re here to help you with the latter thanks to our list of the best diet foods for men.
While both exercise and healthier eating rely on self-motivation, watching your diet is especially tough, partly because everything at the grocery store is seemingly labeled “organic,” “natural,” or “filled with essential vitamins and minerals” — even healthy superfoods like Cinnamon Toast Crunch. (That was sarcasm. CTC is neither healthy nor a superfood.) Because eating healthy can be so confusing, we asked Ruth Carey, a registered dietitian who specializes in weight control and sports nutrition, to hook us up with some of the best diet foods for men.
BROCCOLI, SPINACH, AND KALE
Veggies are full of micronutrients and antioxidants. Plus, eating them barely makes a dent in your daily calorie allowance. While all veggies are good for you, Carey recommends broccoli, spinach, and kale as some of the best diet foods for men. “You can spray kale with olive oil and bake it into kale chips, which are like healthy potato chips with barely any calories,” she suggests. “Or you can make a kale slaw by shredding it and tossing it with a light mayo.”
NON-FAT MILK
Skim milk has only 80 calories per cup and no fat. Plus, it’s high in calcium and contains nearly nine grams of protein. “Guys can drink non-fat chocolate milk after a workout as a recovery drink,” Carey says. “It’s got a high protein content, plus sugars from lactose and chocolate to help muscles recover. Also, the cocoa is high in antioxidants.” Aim for three servings of fat-free milk per day.
