June is Men’s Health Month and June 15th-21st is Men’s Health Week. At Hillcrest Hospital South, we encourage men to take charge of their health by actively preventing disease and illness through maintaining a healthy diet. Stephanie Harris, MS, RD/LD, the lead clinical dietician at Hillcrest Hospital South, provided us with some simple health tips for men!
- Exercise: Exercise not only reduces weight but it reduces blood sugars, cholesterol, blood pressure, and stress levels. If you’re short on time, do little things like taking the stairs or parking further away.
- Stay away from sweetened beverages: Cut out sweetened beverages that are high in calories, like soda, juices, energy drinks, and specialty coffees. Drink more water, at least 8 cups or 64oz. per day.
- Eat at home: Eat more meals at home rather than eating at fast food and restaurants. Plan your meals for the week and make a grocery list so that you have the ingredients you need to make meals at home.
- Portion Control: Practice portion control with your meals. Use smaller plates or bowls, or even split meals when eating out.
- Eat fruits and vegetables: Increase your vegetable intake, and switch to low-fat dairy products like low-fat milk, cheeses, and yogurts.
- Try whole wheat: Switch your refined bread products like white bread, pasta and rice to 100% whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, and brown rice.
- Eat slowly: Try to eat more slowly. It really does take 20-30 minutes for your stomach to signal to your brain that you’re full. Eating fast often leads to overeating.
- Stress less: Try to manage your stress levels. Stress can stimulate a number of diseases and conditions. Try taking a walk, deep breathing, or maybe try one of your favorite hobbies or activities that will help relax you when life gets tough.
- See a doctor: Go to the doctor and make sure that if something is out of the ordinary that you take immediate action.
- Be a role model: Whether you have children or younger family members, children often mimic eating behaviors and lifestyle choices of those they are around, so set a good example for our future generations.
If you want to take control of your health or want to meet with a dietician, please visit www.hillcrestsouth.com. It is easier than you may think to start or continue a healthy lifestyle!