Five Power Foods Every Man Should Eat

Everyone knows the key to a good diet is not one single food, but a variety of nutrient-rich choices in a balanced diet. That said, according to Dr. Connie Gutterson, author of the national best-seller The Sonoma Diet, there are five important foods that every man should eat. Check out what they are and what they can do for you.

Dark leafy greens: Choices like spinach, kale, bok choy and broccoli rabe are tremendous sources of vitamins, antioxidants, phytochemicals, minerals and fiber. All that and they’re low in calories. In addition, they’re great for heart health since they’re full of folic acid and B vitamins.

Berries: Pop a few of these puppies and you’re ahead of the game in your supply of vitamin C, fiber, folic acid and phytochemicals. The deep rich colors show that they’re rich in antioxidants as well. Eat them up and they should help ward off inflammation, heart disease, cancers and aging diseases including Alzheimer’s.

Healthy oils: Stay away from saturated fats and go for monounsaturated fats and omega 3 oils instead. Foods like olive oil, avocados, almonds and salmon are great sources. Not only will these oils help decrease cardiovascular risks, but omega 3’s have been linked to preventing certain cancers, psoriasis, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and depression.

Whole grains: Eat foods like brown rice, quinoa, wheat berries and other whole grains. From the fiber rich bran to the energy packed endosperm (middle layer) to the nutrient hearty germ, these wrap fiber, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and phytonutrients into one attainable package. In addition to tending to your heart, these will keep you emotionally balanced, ward off certain cancers, and keep your digestive track in check as well.

Tomatoes: Not only do tomatoes provide vitamin C, potassium and beta carotene, but lycopene as well. This nutrient that gives tomatoes its deep red color is one of the best sources of protection against prostate cancer. It also targets the free radical that is implicated in lung and digestive cancers.

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