Gender Based Dietary Distinctions – Sexist or Science?

Does gender influence diet? Since gender is a fairly significant part of our personal identities there is no question that it does exert some influence over our diets. The real question, however is, “How much of a role does gender play in determining our diet?“

So, while gender can most certainly influence some of our habits, values and attitudes to a certain extent, the link between gender and diet is probably not as strong as we might first imagine. At best, gender has more of an indirect influence on our diet, mainly because of its connection to other demographic factors.

It seems safe to say that no single factor can determine a person’s overall diet. I would never want to be “assigned” a diet based on my gender alone and never have the opportunity to live my life. As we grow and change and have various experiences our diets will naturally change as well. It has been stated when you ask a man what his favorite food is chances are he’ll “nominate a juicy steak or a gravy-smothered meat pie but women would probably answer cupcakes and chocolate.”

Males tend to think they haven’t had a meal if they haven’t had a serving of meat, whereas women would settle for a piece of fruit, a protein shake or even a meal bar. While nutritionists generally recommend a higher calorie intake for men, the amount of daily energy we need to consume depends on a variety of factors such as age, height and level of activity, says Sharon Natoli, director of Food & Nutrition Australia.

The question of whether our gender determines what we like to eat has long puzzled scientists and nutritionists. Are men and women programmed to want different foods? Do we have varying body requirements? Would we really want it any other way? Share your thoughts?

Bananas Good or Bad

We all know that bananas can be best known for containing large amounts of potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6 and are surprisingly low in calories. The average large ripe banana, which range from 7 to 8 inches long contains about 100 calories and the Discovery Health website and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Nutrient Database agree.

The good factors of bananas are they actually alleviate constipation by furnishing the body with dietary fiber. Many question how it’s responsible for triggering constipation? Ripe bananas relieve constipation, the unripe bananas spearhead constipation. Unripe or green bananas are difficult for the body's digestive system to digest. Moreover, the pieces of unripe bananas block the digestive tract, thereby leading to uneasiness along with constipation.  A healthy diet, cardiovascular exercise and strength training while eating bananas is part of an overall lifestyle change and the result are an effective weight loss.

A simple rule that one can follow in order to avoid constipation is to consume ripe, yellow bananas, whose skin has tiny black speckles on them. Properly ripened bananas eaten in moderation should not cause any kind of problems. A good point to note is that everyone's body reacts differently to all types of foods and while some eating more than one can conduce to constipation others may not, so it's important to check what exactly suits your body.

Bananas are not the most optimal food in the world however it is certainly a much healthier choice than the junk food that many of us tend to have as snacks.

SODAS THUMBS UP OR DOWN

Sodas are not always bad for you and amazingly sodas are only bad when you over drink them, some people go through 5-10 cans a day, maybe even more, but who knows!   A can every now and then is good, because this will help you mentally, just to keep on track, think of it as a treat, or on a fee day, but you have to keep it in proportion, maybe one can every 2 weeks. The sugar content in soda is crazy! Imagine drinking a bottle of soda, and the more you drink, the more sugar you are putting into your system, this will definitely not help you in any fat loss goals, as it will only dehydrate your body more and more, this is not good for you body.  

It is best to just leave SODAS out of your diet overall, the effects of sodas are bad, because you will get a quick rush of energy, which is all sugar, and will get stored as fat into your system. Soft drinks may taste great, but you'll find that no matter what brand you prefer, whether it’s Coca Cola, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, or Sprite, they'll tell you that the drink is not a good source of fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, or iron. Sodas are solely for good taste.

Are sodas bad for you? Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It’s best to just cut it out your diet completely, and just start drinking more natural juices, and water is the best overall drink you can have with many health benefits,

Fruits vs. Sugar Cravings

Fruit should be incorporated into every meal, as well as being the first choice for a snack. It is not that difficult to add fruit to your diet. Population studies have shown that people who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables may have a lower risk of chronic disease, such as heart disease.  Health benefits can be gained from fresh, canned (in natural juice), frozen, cooked, juiced or dried versions.

Once you start taking considerable amount of fruits with your regular food items, you will automatically realize that your weight is being controlled and your health also improves. The fruit skins are rich in dietary fiber that contributes in proper digestion and excretion process of your body and keeps you away from problems like gastritis, constipation, etc. However, in some cases the skin is thick (e.g. – lemon, banana, melon, orange etc.).

However, fruits alone cannot reduce your weight. You also need to exercise regularly. So let’s have a handful of grapes with your morning coffee. Grab an apple or banana and take it to work as an afternoon snack. Treat yourself to melon, strawberries or other fruits as dessert after a good dinner. Be daring and try a pomegranate for the first time. Drink natural fruit juices instead of sodas or coffee.

Fruit can be an easy way to replace sugary snack for adults and kids while still satisfying that sugar craving. Enjoy your fruits.

VEGETABLES YUM YUM

Fruits and vegetables are the healthiest foods which contain many rich nutrients like minerals and vitamins. These nutrients are required for the smooth functioning of our body processes. However, in our hectic lives it can get difficult to eat fruits and vegetables. But, some changes in lifestyle will help you eat healthy and live longer and healthier. So, two times a week buy fresh fruits and vegetables.
If you were to get all of your vegetables from conventionally farmed sources, this would be better for your health than eating no fresh vegetables at all. However, conventionally farmed vegetables are not your best choice. Organic vegetables are a much better option.
Buy fresh and organic produce, and learn to buy fruits and veggies which can stay longer. Refrigerate them to preserve them longer. Keep adding a fruit to every meal and eat a nice fresh crunchy salad before your lunch and dinner. You can use a food processor to make the job of cutting the fruits and vegetables easier. You can make various healthy and quick recipes using fresh fruits and vegetables like smoothies, juice, shake, fruit salsa, fruit salad, vegetable kebab, vegetable salad, mix vegetables juice, etc.
By eating vegetables regularly, your are keeping your circulation happy. Your heart rate will be completely normal; you will have clear skin, strong teeth and good hair. Therefore, a diet which consists of vegetables will not only help you to feel better in day to day life, but also improve your personal appearance. Finally, vegetables are cheaper than meat, which is, apart from all the advantages that vegetables have, an added bonus.

WATER IS USEFUL

You need water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to your organs and tissues. Water is probably the best choice for rehydration because it's cheap and has no calories or added ingredients. How much water do you need to drink? At least twenty percent of the water you need comes from the foods you eat. The rest comes from the beverages you drink.
Water is also in lymph, a fluid that is part of your immune system, which helps you fight off illness. You need water to digest your food and get rid of waste, too. Water is the main ingredient in perspiration, also called sweat. When you drink is also important. If you're going to sports practice, a game, or just working out or playing hard, drink water before, during, and after playing. Don't forget your water bottle. You can't play your best when you're thinking about how thirsty you are!
Your body can help you stay properly hydrated by regulating the amount of water in your system. The body can hold on to water when you don't have enough or get rid of it if you have too much. If your pee has ever been very light yellow, your body might have been getting rid of excess water. When your pee is very dark yellow, it's holding on to water, so it's probably time to drink up.
You can help your body by drinking when you're thirsty and drinking extra water when it's warm out. Your body will be able to do all of its wonderful, waterful jobs and you'll feel great!

Healthy Choice

Can people make the right decisions when it comes to what they eat? I ask myself this question all the time as I struggle to find a balance with eating healthy and still enjoying an everyday lifestyle. Healthy eating is not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. It’s about the choice we make to live a healthier happier life regardless of our size while feeling great, having more energy, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible– all of which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and using them in a way that works for you. You can expand your range of healthy food choices and learn how to plan ahead to create and maintain a tasty, healthy diet.
We would like healthy foods to be most of what people are eating and junk foods to be an occasional treat. However the reality is junk food has its place in American diets which we are not ready to release the reign totally to healthy foods. The easiest way I see to live a healthier life is to keep it basic and simple, try not to think of certain foods as “off-limits”, avoid eating at night, and just listen to the body.
Although we want to avoid the healthier choices of life it is always good to incorporate some type of green leafy vegetables, fruits, and sweet vegetables into our daily lifestyle. Look at green vegetables as the saviors which are easy to incorporate because they include lettuce, broccoli, and cabbage not hard to add to any Sunday dinner. Sweet vegetables are yummy sweet potatoes and yams and can add excitement to anyone’s diet and let’s not forget fruits which are tasty and satisfying and mango's and oranges can also be a great source of fiber.
The key to success is being consistently healthy in your eating choices is the key. Making the same healthy eating choices over time can lead to better eating habits. By thinking more positively and focusing on what you can have, you'll help yourself establish healthy eating habits. I too struggle with eating healthy but want the heather lifestyle for eternity.