6 HEALTH MYTHS YOUR MAN BELIEVES

Happy June, friends! 

You may have noticed that every month marks a new health observance.  (Let's be real, you could lit-ruh-lee celebrate something every day if you want!)  And in June, it's all about the men.  So, in honor of #MensHealthMonth, I thought it would be fun to do some myth-busting around common health and wellness myths the menfolk tend to believe.  Is your man falling victim to these alternative facts?  Keep scrolling to find out more! 

1. Only meats contain protein.  While meats (including beef,  pork, poultry, and game) are protein-rich foods, so are these other options: seafood, shellfish, eggs, beans, soy products, nuts and seeds.
2. More meat = more muscle.  We hate to break it ya fellas.  The only way to increase muscle mass is to work those muscles.  Any extra protein you eat above and beyond your daily energy needs will just result in extra lbs.
3. I have to eat “rabbit food” in order to lose weight.  There’s no doubt that eating more fruits and vegetables will increase the nutritional quality of your diet and likely aid in your weight loss efforts, but it’s important to include a balance of fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, and dairy foods at mealtime.  Doing so allows you to get the nutrition your body needs and helps you make it from meal to meal without feeling overly hungry in between.
4. I have to work out for at least 60 minutes for it to "count".  Actually, spreading out your physical activity throughout your week can make it more manageable for you to achieve the minutes you need to support your health and wellness goals.  Just remember that at least 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity counts towards your overall physical activity minutes each week!
5. I need to drink a sports drink when I work out.  Being active, especially outside, requires us to be well-hydrated to prevent overheating and for optimal performance.  But the truth is, for activities lasting less than one hour, water is an ideal choice to rehydrate with, while sports drinks often contain a lot of unnecessary added sugar and calories.  
6. If it’s healthy, I can eat as much as I want.  Making healthy food choices can be half the battle when aiming to eat healthier.  However, the other half includes paying attention to your portions sizes, because too much of anything can cause weight gain.  Case in point, almonds.  Almonds are seen as a heart-healthy food, but when we enjoy a small snack size (1/4 cup) vs. several handfuls (1 cup), 200 calories quickly becomes over 800 calories!  That 600 calorie difference can be working against your health goals. 

What other health myths does your man believe?  Tell us in the comments below! 

lindsey