Men’s health deserves just as much attention as women’s health.

However, stereotypes about masculinity often prevent men from being proactive about their wellbeing.

Taking steps to improve your health can significantly increase lifespan, enhance quality of life, boost productivity and reduce healthcare costs down the road.

This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of men’s health including nutrition, exercise, sleep, mental health, sexual health, preventive care and more.

Read on to learn practical strategies that can help men optimize their overall health starting today.

The Importance of Good Nutrition for Men’s Health

The foods and beverages you regularly consume have a profound impact on your health both in the short and long-term.

Follow these diet strategies as the foundation for high performance and disease prevention.

[A]. Adopt Healthy Eating Habits

#1 Focus on whole, minimally processed foods

Assortment of whole grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, eggs and fish on wood table emphasizing diet rich in natural unprocessed nutrient-dense foods.
Fill your plate with whole foods! Whole grains, veggies, fruits, nuts and sustainable proteins provide the antioxidants, fiber and micronutrients for optimal health with less processing = more benefits!

– The bulk of your diet should consist of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans and legumes, nuts, seeds, lean proteins like chicken, fish, eggs and plant-based proteins.

These provide the wide range of micronutrients, antioxidants, fiber and healthy fats your body needs.

Limit overly processed foods, refined grains, added sugars and unhealthy fats which lack nutrients and promote inflammation when consumed in excess.

#2. Hydrate for health

Smiling young man with long brown hair, wearing a blue shirt, holds and drinks from a tall glass filled with clear water while standing among trees in a forest.
Staying hydrated with 2-3 liters of fluids per day, often from water, promotes wellbeing by preventing dehydration. This man beams with satisfaction while getting enough fluids.

– Drink at least 2-3 liters of total fluids per day from water, herbal tea, milk and other beverages to avoid dehydration.

Many people turn to sugary drinks and coffee leading to excessive sugar, sodium and caffeine. Water is ideal for hydration.

Signs of mild dehydration include headache, fatigue, dizziness, constipation and dark urine. Chronic dehydration stresses all body systems.

Read More on The Vital Importance of Water and Hydration for Health

#3. Read nutrition labels

Man Studying Nutrition Facts on Cereal Box
Get nutrition savvy! Read food labels to watch out for excess calories, fat, sodium & sugars hidden in packaged foods and choose healthier options for your diet and lifestyle. This man compares cereals to pick the best one.

– Be nutrition savvy and read the label on packaged foods.

Watch out for excessive calories, saturated fat, sodium and added sugars.

Compare similar items and choose the healthier option. Look for short, recognizable ingredients over long chemical-sounding lists.

#4. Control portions

Bearded man with short brown hair in white kitchen uses measuring cup to dish out single serving of rice, meat and vegetables from larger plates of food beside his phone and notepad on the sunlit dining table.
With expanding restaurant portions, it’s easy to overeat. Control your portions by measuring servings, splitting menu items, and boxing half before eating. This promotes better health.

– It’s easy to overeat, especially with restaurant portions expanding over the years.

Measure servings at home and resist supersized menu items when eating out. Use smaller plates, share items, and box up half before you start eating. Eat slowly and mindfully without distractions.

#5. Cook more meals at home

Smiling bearded man brings plates of grilled salmon and rice with steamed vegetables to a table set with flowers in a cozy dining room and organized kitchen visible behind him
Cooking meals at home lets you control nutrition and costs. With healthy pantry staples and quicker options like canned beans, pre-cut veggies or boneless chicken, whipping up satisfying homemade meals is achievable even on busy nights!

– Preparing meals at home allows you to control ingredients, portions and cost. Stock up on healthy staples to make balanced meals.

Take advantage of quicker options like grilled chicken breasts, pre-cut veggies, canned beans that provide shortcuts while retaining nutrition.

#6. Meal prep

Bearded smiling man meal preps by chopping colorful vegetables on kitchen counter also holding containers of cooked chicken, rice, greens ready for quick weeknight meals
Make time on weekends to meal prep grains, proteins, chopped produce so you build the foundations of flavorful meals for the entire week ahead. Meal prepping sets you up for healthy home cooking success!

– Make time on weekends to meal prep balanced meals and snacks for the week ahead.

Chop ingredients, cook proteins, grains and meal building blocks so they’re ready to throw together. This sets you up for healthy eating all week long.

#7. Don’t skip breakfast

Smiling man with red shirt and apron blends smoothie in his hand while eggs boil and avocado toast is prepped on counter in his airy kitchen early in the morning.
Don’t skip breakfast! Eating nourishing foods every morning provides energy, controls hunger and boosts metabolism to keep your body fueled into the afternoon. Quick go-to breakfasts include smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt and more wholesome options.

– Fuel your day by eating a nutritious breakfast every morning.

This boosts metabolism, curbs overeating later in the day and provides energy to focus during work.

Quick options include oatmeal, Greek yogurt with fruit, eggs with veggies, smoothies, peanut butter on whole grain toast.

#8. Eat the rainbow

Display of fresh red, orange, purple, green fruits and veggies on rustic wood table in front of window showing eating many colorful plant foods.
Emphasize fruits + veggies of ALL colors for a variety of essential vitamins and antioxidants! Shoot for at least 5 servings daily with plenty of colorful snacking options too. Eat that rainbow!!🌈

– Emphasize fruits and vegetables of all different colors to get a diversity of nutrients and antioxidants your body requires.

Shoot for at least five total servings of produce daily. Keep fresh and frozen fruits and veggies on hand for snacking.

#9. Choose healthy fats

Photo collage of avocados, mixed nuts, olives, and salmon filet providing beneficial unsaturated fats from plants and fish on wooden table in sunlight.
Not all fats are equal! Prioritize unsaturated fats from plants (avocados 🥑, nuts, olives) + fish which provide nutritional benefits. Limit saturated fats from red meat & tropical oils. Avoid trans fats from fried foods!

– Not all fats are created equal. Prioritize unsaturated fats from plant sources like avocados, nuts, seeds, olives, fatty fish.

Limit saturated fats from red meat, full-fat dairy and tropical oils. Avoid trans fats from fried foods, baked goods, spreads.

#10. Stay accountable

Bearded man drinking black coffee writes in food diary log book while sunlit kitchen table displays foods planned to break his intermittent fast within set eating window.
Staying accountable with your diet through tactics like food tracking journals or intermittent fasting windows allows you to meet your health goals while staying mindful.

– Keep a food journal to track calories, nutrients, hunger levels and eating triggers.

Tracking keeps you mindful while apps like MyFitnessPal provide analysis of your intake.

Or do intermittent fasting limiting eating to set hours.

Author