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Men with obesity are at a greater risk of chronic disease because their bodies tend to carry more visceral fat. Visceral fat is stored in the abdominal cavity, and it is associated with increased insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and high cholesterol. However, there are many diets for weight loss that men can choose from that will help them to lose their gut. The following ten healthy, sustainable diet and weight loss plans for men are great options for men who are looking to burn away their belly fat.
Losing excess fat may benefit a man’s health in several ways:
It has been shown that overweight and obese individuals have a higher risk of developing heart disease, type II diabetes, respiratory problems such as sleep apnea, gallstones, and osteoarthritis (8).
Excess weight can contribute to fatigue and reduce energy levels. Additionally, excess fat in the body may increase the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in warmer weather (7).
Carrying around excess weight on the body may reduce a person’s mobility, increasing the risk of injury from falls or other causes. Even simply walking is more laborious if a person is carrying around excess weight (11).
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People who are overweight may experience higher rates of depressive symptoms, including sadness, lack of energy, and low self-esteem. Weight loss can lead to decreased depressive symptoms as well as improved self-esteem (11).
When a person’s weight increases, it can have a negative impact on sexual function and even lead to anorgasmia. Losing weight can lead to a higher libido and improved sexual function (3).
Protein is the primary macronutrient responsible for building and repairing muscles in the human body. Therefore, it is generally recommended that athletes and active people incorporate more protein into their daily diet. Eating more protein can also help you lose fat because, when paired with exercise, it helps preserve lean muscle mass as your body is burning fat for fuel (1).
There are several high protein diets that men can choose from to help them lose weight, including the Atkins Diet, the Zone Diet, and the Paleo Diet. The Atkins diet focuses on low carbohydrate intake, while the Zone diet emphasizes proper proportions of nutrients. Similarly, the Primal Blueprint focuses on living a healthy lifestyle by following our genetic blueprint. But any diet can be made into a high protein diet by simply focusing on including protein-rich foods.
One of the most sustainable ways to lose weight and preserve lean muscle mass is to limit or eliminate processed foods and focus on eating whole foods instead. Men who eat more fruits and vegetables tend to be healthier and weigh less than those who don’t (1).
Furthermore, the risk of disease is also reduced in men who eat more whole foods because they are rich in macro and micronutrients like antioxidants and others which promote anti-inflammatory responses in the body (1).
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Another way for men to lose weight while retaining their lean muscle mass is through low carbohydrate diets, which include intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets (keto). These two types of diets focus on burning fat for energy instead of carbs which is intended to help retain lean body mass. Additionally, they both help men control hunger pangs without feeling hungry all the time because they reduce blood sugar levels (1).
The main idea behind intermittent fasting is that it helps your body go from burning carbs to burning fat when you go extended periods without food. On the other hand, when following a ketogenic diet, your body is induced into a state known as “ketosis” which basically means it is using fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates.
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes eating fish and poultry at least two times per week while consuming fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats in moderation. Furthermore, the meals in this diet are prepared with fresh ingredients to retain their nutritional value.
In one study, men who ate more foods from this region were less likely to gain weight over time than those who didn’t practice this type of diet (1). In another study, researchers found that high adherence to this diet was associated with a reduced risk of experiencing major cardiovascular events (9).
Men who eat more fiber tend to have healthier dietary habits than those who don’t because it slows down digestion, which helps them feel fuller for longer periods (1).
This is one reason why high fiber diets are often recommended as sustainable weight loss plans for men, including the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), Weight Watchers, and South Beach diets. Furthermore, following the DASH diet can also help control blood pressure levels in men at risk of hypertension or already diagnosed with the disease. Any diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes can be considered a high fiber diet.
Another type of healthy diet for men to follow when trying to lose weight is a low-calorie, nutrient-dense diet. These types of diets are high in micronutrients from healthy vegetables and fruits while being low in calories from fat. Researchers have found that when following this type of diet, the risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease is reduced (1).
Furthermore, men who eat foods that are rich in nutrients tend to eat less because they feel more satisfied, whereas those who follow a nutrient-poor diet tend to be hungrier sooner because they don’t provide much in terms of nutrition.
The Paleo diet encourages men to stay away from processed foods and focus on eating meats, nuts, and leafy greens instead. It also encourages followers to stay away from grains, dairy products, and sugar because they are not part of the original caveman diet.
Not only could the Paleo diet be beneficial in helping men lose weight, but it might also help them improve their cardiovascular health, depending on what their diet was like before (6). Another benefit of this lifestyle is that it encourages men to be healthy by providing simple guidelines which are easy to follow.
One day, being recognized as an effective way for men to manage Alzheimer’s disease may be the MIND diet (12). This type of diet limits your intake of saturated fats, sugars, processed foods, and alcohol while encouraging you to eat fatty fish at least three times per week. It further promotes eating leafy greens, which have been linked with helping lower the risk of heart disease, cognitive decline, and stroke.
Some observational studies have associated this diet with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and a slower rate of cognitive decline (12).
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Intermittent fasting is yet another sustainable diet for men because it doesn’t require you to cut out all the foods you love but simply restricts eating times, so your body goes through different stages of fasting.
Although intermittent fasting hasn’t been studied extensively in men, early evidence suggests that it may be beneficial for lowering blood pressure levels while also reducing LDL cholesterol, blood triglycerides, and inflammatory markers. Furthermore, intermittent fasting has also been seen to improve insulin sensitivity, which can prevent or even reverse metabolic syndrome in men (1). Most of these benefits could simply be attributed to health improvements from weight loss, and are not necessarily specific to fasting diets.
One of the healthiest diets for men to follow is a vegetarian diet because it’s high in fiber, low in saturated fat, and encourages partakers to eat foods that are rich in micronutrients.
People who follow plant-based diets tend to weigh less, probably because they tend to eat a lot of nutrient-dense, high-fiber, lower-calorie foods. Furthermore, when following this type of diet, people not only tend to lose weight but also see improvements in blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and insulin sensitivity (1).
Research shows that the most effective weight loss strategies involve dietary modifications alongside increased physical activity and other behavioral changes — not diet alone (4).
Some of the ways men can improve their physical activity include:
For those looking to lose weight and improve their cardiovascular health, experts recommend 30 minutes of cardio exercise per day, at least 5 days per week (5). There are many different types of cardio exercises men can try, such as jogging, running, biking, climbing stairs, or dancing.
Strength training is another great way for men to burn calories while strengthening muscles. Not only does strength training help improve muscle tone, but studies have also shown that it may help reduce insulin resistance in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes (10).
Furthermore, research shows that strength training may even be important for maintaining overall metabolic health long-term. Lastly, this type of workout will not only boost metabolism but also increase lean muscle mass over time (10).
When you have a diet and workout plan in place, use these tips to ensure long term results:
Staying hydrated is key for overall health and weight loss. Not only will drinking more water help you feel full, but it can also help control your appetite. In addition, studies show that when you drink two additional glasses of water before a meal, it can lead to significant decreases in food consumption, so you consume fewer calories overall. Furthermore, drinking the right fluids throughout the day may increase metabolic rate by up to 30% (13).
One of the simplest and most effective ways to lose weight and keep it off long term is to eat less. Although many people try fad diets or crazy workout plans, they result in unsustainable behavior changes that do not fit into normal life. Furthermore, research shows that individuals who eat until they feel satisfied tend to lose more weight than those who try to restrict their food intake.
Not only will baking, boiling, or grilling your foods help you avoid excess calories, but it can also decrease the amount of oil and fats used in cooking. Furthermore, cooking with oils high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may be beneficial for heart health, but it can contribute to inflammation levels that have been linked to many chronic diseases, including obesity. The key is to get a good balance of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs.
Lastly, frying foods at high temperatures can produce toxic chemicals called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which have been shown to contribute to insulin resistance.
Research shows that interval training can be even more effective than traditional cardio at burning calories. Although the exact amount of time varies depending on individual fitness levels, studies show exercisers improve cardiovascular fitness more with interval workouts compared to steady-state bouts of activity where you are performing the same intensity level throughout (2). Furthermore, if your goal is weight loss, incorporating this type of workout may help prevent any undesired loss in lean muscle mass.
Having an accountability partner can help boost motivation and results. Not only do you have someone to keep you accountable, but it can also be a great source of support! Furthermore, research has shown that having an accountability partner encourages weight management behaviors by creating standards for both members to live up to.
Lastly, having this type of partner will reduce the risk of lapses in your weight management goals by holding each other accountable when one slips up or experiences a lapse in motivation.
When trying to lose weight using a healthy diet plan, men should follow a high protein diet that includes plenty of vegetables while reducing their caloric intake. Not only will they be able to lose weight but also improve their overall health at the same time. They should also adhere to an exercise routine for efficient weight management.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!