Judy Dodd, MS, RD, LDN, Giant Eagle^® Corporate Nutritionist

Health risks are the conditions or life situations that are the leading causes of death or loss of quality of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the major health risks for males include several that are preventable or controllable with a healthy lifestyle. Please review the top ten major health risks of men provided below:

Of these major health risks, heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer, stroke, and kidney disease have links to lifestyle factors of diet, exercise level and not smoking. The relationship to diet is similar for many of these risk factors and includes:

• Aim for a plate that has at least half fruits and vegetables, one-quarter grains — preferably whole grains, and one-quarter low-fat protein sources.
• Include fiber, a component of plant foods like fruits, vegetables and grains.
• Choose lean protein or those with heart-friendly fats. Beans, lentils, soy and other legumes, fish, chicken or turkey, lean meat, nuts or nut butters are good sources of lean protein. Low-fat dairy foods, including milk or yogurt, add protein and other important nutrients. Eggs are a quality protein but there may be a limit on the number of yolks you should include in a week.
• Balance the number of calories from food and beverages with the calories you burn during exercise and activity. Calories count — and your needs are specific to your age, body build and activity levels. A registered dietitian can help set reasonable goals.
• Keep the amount of sodium within recommended guidelines for your health needs. Sodium is found in table salt, but about 80% of your intake is likely to come from processed or prepared foods, where you have no control except to not eat the food! If you already have diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure, your medical doctor has probably set a daily goal of 1500-2000 milligrams of sodium a day. Read the labels on soup, frozen dinners or your favorite snacks to give you an idea of how easy it is to exceed your sodium goal. Check with the Registered Dietitians at Giant Eagle^® for more help on reading labels.
• Make daily exercise a part of your lifestyle. This is essential to lower risk factors and to build your heart health. The goal is to exercise at least 30 minutes a day, with one hour being suggested if weight is an issue. Check with your medical doctor before you begin an exercise program. Walking, swimming, gardening and yoga all count as exercising. Golf is only included as exercise if you're doing some walking in between cart ridings.
• Aim for control — your blood sugar, blood cholesterol, blood pressure and weight need to be within the appropriate ranges your medical doctor has set for your age and health. Sometimes medication is required, which is another part of control, so talk with your pharmacist for guidance on medications. Check with the Registered Dietitians at Giant Eagle^® for guidance on a healthy lifestyle.

Important Physician Advice Disclaimer: The content provided by Giant Eagle^®, including but not limited to, web site, recipe and health information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your physician for professional guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under the age of 18, pregnant, nursing, or have health problems.

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