Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and many other chronic illnesses start to become more commons as we age. When men hit 50 years old, the foods they are consuming can affect their health in serious ways. So, if they want to reduce their health risks, experts say they should stay away from these six foods.
1. Rib-eye Steak
Rib-eye steaks happen to be among the fattiest meats a person can eat. Even a small portion of four ounces contains 16 grams of fat. Even worse, a lot of that is saturated fat. The good news is that while rib-eyes should be avoided, other leaner steak cuts can still be enjoyed. For instance, a New York strip steak only has half the fat of a rib-eye.
2. Protein Bars
Most people think protein bars are a healthy snack, but think again. A lot of them are barely healthier than a candy bar when it comes to sugar and calories. Men over 50 years old should avoid eating protein bars in general, though if they must continue to indulge in them, check the label. Anything with less than seven grams of sugar is fine.
3. Processed Meats
Processed meats are a sure-fire way to clog a man's arteries. These include lunch meats, bacon, and sausages. They all contain way too much saturated fat and can increase cholesterol to unhealthy levels. If processed meats can't be cut out entirely, because it's a hard thing to do, things like turkey bacon and other low-fat options should be selected instead.
4. Cookies and Cake
Cookies and cakes pretty much top the list for empty calories, meaning they don't provide enough nutrition to make them worth eating when you're over 50 and the health risks start to increase. Understandably, these sweet treats can't be entirely avoided, so eat them sparingly and in small portions.
5. Fried Foods
Fried foods may be delicious, but they are connected to an elevated risk of heart disease, not to mention weight gain. Both of these things can cause type 2 diabetes as well. Best to stick to grilled or roasted foods instead of their fried counterparts.
6. Breakfast Toaster Pastries
Breakfast pastries in general are not the healthiest of options, but the pre-packaged toaster pastries are even worse. They are full of calories with not much nutrition, so they're a poor way to start the day. Whole grain bread and fruit for breakfast will keep you much healthier.
