Top 5 Foods for Men's Health

Men: put down that beer and listen up. Your nutrition plays a huge role in your overall health, and could be the difference between battling chronic disease later in life and having an able, fit body in your golden years.

These five foods are not only packed with the nutrients necessary for optimal daily function, they’ve also been shown to have male-specific health benefits. So ditch that Hungry Man and try incorporating these foods into your diet—we’ll even show you how with a variety of easy, alive­-tested and man-approved recipes.

Cooked tomatoes
Lycopene in tomatoes has long been believed to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Further, by heating tomatoes in a sauce and adding fat, such as extra-virgin olive oil, you can increase your lycopene absorption by 55 percent. Try out these tomato-based dishes if you want to protect your prostate.

• Pumpkin Turkey Chili
• Roasted Pepper and Chipotle Sauce Pasta

Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are the perfect side for any meal. They’re a great source of beta carotene, which helps slow the aging process and reduces the risk of certain cancers. Poke a few holes in a sweet potato and bake it in the oven until tender, or try one of these delicious recipes.

• Herbed Sweet Potato Fries
• Shepherd’s Pie

Salmon
This oily fish is an excellent source of omega-3s, which contribute to healthy skin, weight loss, and overall heart health. Choose wild salmon whenever possible, as studies have indicated that farmed fish have significantly higher chemical contamination levels as a result of exposure to chemicals in the food they are fed. Get more salmon in your diet with these tasty dinners.

• West Coast Teriyaki Salmon with Wasabi Mayonnaise
• Salmon Mac and Cheese (This recipe uses canned wild salmon for extra convenience.)

Broccoli
This tree-like cruciferous veggie is loaded with phytonutrients and vitamins A and C. Broccoli’s disease-fighting properties may help prevent heart disease, some cancers, and diabetes. Serve steamed broccoli as a side with your dinners, or whip up something a bit more creative.

• Green Monster Soup (Made with frozen veggies, this simple soup tastes even better a day or two after.)
• Greek Frittata

Wheat germ
Chock full of nutrients including thiamine, folate, magnesium, and zinc, this embryonic centre of the wheat grain is also a great source of fibre. One easy way of incorporating wheat germ into your diet is to dump some into your morning or post-workout smoothie. It also bakes well into muffins and even pancakes. Try out these recipes to get more of this superfood in your diet.

• Pumpkin Pancakes
• Very Berry Hemp Date Smoothie (This smoothie also boasts hemp oil, hemp protein powder, and hemp milk, which make it an excellent recovery drink after a long workout.)