The Worst Foods for Men Over 50
As you get older, your health risks increase. And for men over the age of 50, the foods that they eat can play a huge role in lowering these risks. So if you are eating all the wrong kinds of foods, well, that's just going to make things that much tougher. So which really are the worst foods for men over 50 they should avoid at all costs?
Lucky for you, we went ahead and did the work for you. Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND award-winning nutrition expert, Wall Street Journal best-selling author of The Create-Your-Plate Diabetes Cookbook, and member of the ETNT medical board, spoke to us all about the specific health concerns that men over the age of 50 may have. According to Amidor, men over 50 need to watch out mainly for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Because of these risks, we asked Amidor what types of food men over 50 should try to avoid. Here's the breakdown. If you're looking to make healthier changes, be sure you're stocked up on The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.
Cookies and Cakes
Eating these sugary foods is always tempting, but if you consume them on a regular basis, you could potentially put yourself more at risk for health concerns.
"These foods provide high calories and not many nutrients," Amidor says. And consistently giving our bodies food that has little nutrients and tons of unnecessary calories can lead to weight gain, which for men over the age of 50 can also lead to health risks and diseases.
"If you're going to go for a cookie or cake, then do so on occasion in small portions," Amidor suggests.
Sugary Drinks
Sometimes it's harder to remember that sweet drinks can pack as many unnecessary calories and high sugar counts as cookies and cakes. Amidor says "regular sodas, sugary iced teas, and lemonades add a lot of sugar and not much else to the diet…which can also lead to weight gain and ultimately to the health risks above."
Fried Foods
Fried foods are delicious—no one is denying that. But for men over the age of 50, munching on these foods can lead to weight troubles and heart issues.
"Fried foods have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and can also lead to increased weight gain, which can bring out type 2 diabetes," Amidor says. She suggests trying an alternative like baked or grilled chicken or cooking potato strips in an air fryer for a healthier alternative to French fries.
Processed Meats
"Sausages, bacon, and other such processed meats are high in artery-clogging saturated fat, which can raise LDL (or bad) cholesterol levels," says Amidor. She mentions that trying a leaner alternative or choosing smaller portions can be a helpful way of cutting back on high-calorie processed meats.
