While I like to think my messaging and posts are unisex, weight
loss advice tends to be female-centric. Male clients who read LBT give me a
hard time “the book is great but did you need to have a dress on the cover?”
Or “I’m not wearing a bikini any time soon.” With Father’s Day approaching our plan
was to focus on Dude Foods for our June Newsletter. Then, as we dove into the
research on this dietary gender divide something occurred to me…when it comes to weight loss, should we all
be more manly with our methodology?
More savory
Women tend to have
more overall cravings than men. Ninety-seven percent of women report food
cravings (no surprise) while for men it’s under seventy percent. Women also
tend to crave sweet foods more often (and chocolate is the number one craving,
yup) while men crave savory. So, what should you do? I love chocolate (good,
dark, 70% chocolate) but after three days quitting sugar I am not looking for
it. You can quit sugar with us for the remainder of the month or add non-sweet foods to your diet. Start with
breakfast I’m loving eggs with hot sauce, paleo bread with coconut butter and
plain yogurt with cinnamon and cardamom.
Fewer Snacks
It was interesting to
see research supporting the fact that men snack less. Men, on average, have about two snacks
a day whereas women have over three. Two is indeed the magic number We have some of
our favorite savory snacks in our Dude Food Kit. Brussels sprout chips and the
most amazing nuts in the world are not to be missed.
Less Fat Phobic- this is a big one. I still see clients who
are petrified to skip their “skim” or look at me as though I secretly want them to gain
weight when I suggest nuts or coconut oil. Men are not afraid of fat in their
diet (and do not necessarily eat the good ones) but the right fats will make
you thin. Think fish, avocado, seeds and coconut.
Eat Less Fruit- I am not anti fruit. I know many people were
surprised that I suggested one fruit per day in the book. Nothing is going to
happen if that one becomes two some days. Something is going to happen if you
love summer fruit a little too much and have four a day, every day justifying
it by saying “I eat only healthy, clean foods.”
Booze is OK but not girly booze
Men drink more
alcohol than women, men also metabolize alcohol differently than women (a topic for another day). I’m not
here to tell you to booze it up. I am saying to be less “girly” in your drink
choices. “On the rocks” will do much more for you than tonic ever has.
If I’m going to be totally honest, when you look at all the
studies men are not necessarily eating healthier than women. The stereotypical
dude foods they are far from a nutritionist’s dream however, while women may
know where it’s at with so, so many things (this goes without saying) men’s
overall approach to food that’s more fuel oriented and less guilt-ridden, less snacky and less sweet is
probably the way to go.
From the criteria
above are you more manly or girly in your food choices? Do you believe men and
women fall into these catergories when it comes to food? If you’re quitting
sugar with us how’s it going?
I used to love eggs with hot sauce and lots of veggies, but since I can't digest eggs anymore, sadly that breakfast option is gone. But I have trained myself to like plain yogurt again. I used to eat plain yogurt for many, many years but then started adding just a little stevia a while ago. But it's really not necessary. I like your addition of cinnamon and cardamom.
ReplyDeleteWhen I eat enough fat, I feel better and eat better. And, yes, to limiting fruit. Since I usually have some fruit in my green smoothie, I have to remember not to eat another piece later on.
Aside from my chocolate consumption, I would say I eat like a guy...I think they have it right! For once.
ReplyDeleteI think i fall right in the middle-only 1 snack per day for me & not fat phobic at all, but 1 probably average 2 servings fruit/day, and even though my "tooth" has become more savory as I've gotten older, I still prefer more sweets than my hubby does. Oh, and I'm {usually} not a girly drinker :-)
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