Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates supply the main source of energy for your body, so many nutritionists recommend that they should make up the majority—50 or 60 percent— of your intake of calories. Carbohydrates consist of the starches, sugars, and fiber found in foods that come from plants. There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates, also known as simple sugars, taste sweet and are quickly absorbed and digested. Examples of simple carbohydrates are table sugar, honey, corn syrup, and the type of sugar found in fruit. Complex carbohydrates refer to the starches or fiber found in rice, pasta, bread, potatoes, beans, and some fruits (such as bananas).
Complex carbohydrates are better for you than simple carbohydrates because complex carbohydrates are absorbed by your digestive system more slowly, giving your body a more sustained source of energy and preventing steep rises and falls in blood sugar levels. They also contain many nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, while the simple carbohydrates in foods such as candy, pastries, and other sugary desserts provide only calories. By far, most of the carbohydrates you consume should be the complex carbohydrates found in grains (preferably whole grains), vegetables, and fruits. The problem with sugar and foods containing high amounts of sugar is that they supply “empty calories”—that is, they contain many calories but no nutrients.
For example, one 12-ounce can of soda contains about 9 teaspoons of sugar. Sugary desserts taste good, but when you fill up on simple sugars, you leave no room for more nutrient-rich foods. Sweet desserts often also contain large amounts of fat; the high consumption of fat has been shown to have health risks. Overindulgence in these foods also leads to excess weight gain. Fiber is a special type of carbohydrate that is found in foods such as whole bran and other grains, vegetables, and fruits. Fiber is the part of the plant that is not digestible and provides no nutrients, but it has many beneficial health functions. It comes in two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber, present in oat bran and oatmeal, barley, dried beans, vegetables, and fruits, can improve your blood cholesterol levels, especially when consumed as part of a
low-fat diet. Insoluble fiber is found in whole bran cereals, whole-wheat bread, and fruit and vegetable skins. Its main function is to increase the bulk in your stools, thereby preventing constipation and protecting against certain other digestive disorders, such as colon cancer. Eating according to the Food Guide Pyramid will easily provide the recommended 25 grams of fiber per day. If you want to begin increasing your intake of fiber, do it gradually, because a sudden increase can cause abdominal bloating and excess intestinal gas. Drink plenty of water to minimize these effects. Your body will eventually adapt to the higher levels of fiber. Doctors do not usually recommend fiber supplements because they lack the vital nutrients found in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Protein
The primary function of protein-rich foods is to form muscle, bone, and skin and to repair body tissue. Certain proteins also carry hormones and other essential elements throughout your body by way of the bloodstream. Protein-rich foods include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dried beans, nuts, and dairy products. Grain foods such as breads and cereals are a secondary source of protein. Proteins are made up of combinations of 21 different chemicals called amino acids. Nine of these chemicals, called essential amino acids, cannot be manufactured by your body and must be obtained from the food you eat. Others, known as nonessential amino acids, are made from the essential type. Proteins from animal sources are called complete proteins because they are rich in essential amino acids. Because proteins in plant foods such as beans or nuts have fewer of the essential amino acids, they are referred to as incomplete proteins. In the past doctors and nutrition experts recommended combining plant proteins such as rice and beans at a given meal to ensure getting enough essential amino acids. But unless you have a protein deficiency, which is rare in the United
States, or are a vegetarian, the experts now know that combining proteins is unnecessary as long as your total diet is balanced. Many men believe that they need to consume an abundance of protein to eat healthfully, but the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council is actually quite low. The RDA for protein is 63 grams per day for an adult male, which is about 10 to 15 percent of your total calorie intake. Consuming this amount of protein
each day is not difficult. Simply eat 6 to 8 ounces of meat, poultry, or fish and drink a couple of glasses of milk and you have met your RDA. Most Americans eat more protein than that each day—more than they need.
Fat
Fat enhances the flavor and texture of food, which helps explain why high-fat foods usually taste good. Fat has important functions in the body, including helping to make the male hormone testosterone. But most people in developed countries consume too much fat, which leads to the development of heart disease, some types of cancer, and other chronic diseases. This explains why the Dietary Guidelines for Americans advises deriving no more than 30 percent of your total calorie intake from fat, and no more than 10 percent of total calories from saturated fat (see below). There are three main types of fat in the foods you eat: saturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated. Cholesterol is also a type of fat found in foods of animal origin. Don’t be confused by the difference between the cholesterol found in food and the cholesterol that circulates in your blood. Your liver manufactures most of the cholesterol in your blood from the saturated fat you consume; a smaller percentage comes from the cholesterol in the food you eat. Some men’s blood cholesterol levels are affected more than other men’s by the amount of cholesterol they eat. Having a high cholesterol level increases your risk of heart disease. Another category of fat, known as trans fatty acids, also is present in certain foods. Trans fatty acids are synthetic fats made during food processing. The following table describes the differences in the various types of fats.
Water
Water is an essential nutrient, just like the nutrients in food. Your body is made up primarily of water, which accounts for 50 to 80 percent of your body weight. Your requirement for water varies, depending on such factors as the temperature and humidity or your activity level. Water loss through perspiration during physical exertion can increase your body’s need for water dramatically. Having diarrhea also can cause excess water loss from your intestines, so it’s important to drink plenty of fluids when you have a bout of diarrhea.
In general, thirst is the best indicator that you need water. Don’t quench your thirst with caffeinated soda or alcoholic beverages because caffeine and alcohol will only dehydrate you further. Older people may find that their thirst sensation has become dulled. If you are an older man, remember to drink at least eight glasses of water and other fluids, 8 ounces each, every day, regardless of whether you are thirsty, and especially in hot weather. It’s easy to become dangerously dehydrated without realizing it when the weather is hot and humid.
The federal government sets standards for the safety and purity of drinking water, and most municipalities meet these guidelines. Occasionally, however, contaminants enter public drinking water supplies. If you are told that your local water facility is having problems with high bacteria counts or other contamination, boil your tap water before you drink it or use it for cooking. The plumbing in older homes sometimes leeches lead into tap water. If you suspect that your plumbing might have lead-containing solder, run your tap water for several minutes every morning before drinking it. Always use cold water when cooking because hot water can cause lead to leech from pipes even faster. Fluoride is an element that occurs naturally in the water found in some parts of the United States. In other regions, local municipalities add fluoride to public water supplies to help prevent tooth decay. Fluoridation of water is safe and is largely responsible for a substantial nationwide decrease in tooth decay.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins are compounds that your body needs but cannot manufacture on its own (with the exception of vitamin D, which is produced by your skin when exposed to sunlight). As noted in part one, “The Healthy Man,” there are two types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble. The fat-soluble vitamins—A, D, E, and K—can be stored by your body in the fat inside your cells. Taking large doses of these vitamins can be risky because they can build up in your body and cause unwanted effects. Water-soluble vitamins, composed of the eight B vitamins and vitamin C, are not stored by your body and need to be replaced every day in the food you eat. The antioxidants vitamin C, beta carotene (which your body converts into vitamin A), and vitamin E have been getting a lot of publicity because of their supposed disease-preventing qualities, prompting some people to take large—in some cases massive—doses of antioxidant supplements. However, much of the scientific research that has been done on antioxidants remains conflicting, so doctors still recommend getting most of your antioxidant vitamins from the foods you eat, rather than from supplements. Minerals are chemicals that plants absorb from soil and water. Small amounts of many of these minerals are essential for normal body function. When you eat fruits, vegetables, and grains, you receive the benefit of the minerals they contain. Two important minerals are calcium and iron. Calcium is important for
building strong bones and preventing the bone-thinning disease known as osteoporosis. Too much calcium can cause health problems such as constipation and kidney stones. Men between ages 25 and 65 should take in about 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day. Men over 65 should take in about 1,500 milligrams
of calcium per day. Low-fat and nonfat dairy products are excellent sources of calcium. Adequate iron intake ensures that your red blood cells have enough hemoglobin, a compound needed to transport oxygen throughout the body. However, too much iron has been linked to an increased risk of heart and liver disease in men. You need only about 10 milligrams of iron per day. Good sources of iron include red meat, raisins, nuts, and enriched breads, cereals, rice, and pasta. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are rare in the United States. Although many men take vitamin and mineral supplements, the best way to get your daily allowances of these nutrients is from the food you eat. This is another reason why it is so important to consume a wide variety of foods—to ensure a balanced diet.
