A recent study revealed that 68% of men aged between 45 and 74 years suffer from obesity, compared to 60% of women, according to the British "Daily Mail." Despite the increasing obesity rates among men, they are more hesitant than women to follow diet plans or join weight loss groups. Therefore, a wife can play a positive role for her husband, who may be gaining weight but is unwilling to address the issue. Nutrition and weight loss expert Nikki Woods suggests several subtle tips to help husbands shed some pounds without them even realizing they are on a diet:
1. **Varied Flavored Sandwiches**
If the husband usually gets a meal while at work during lunchtime, the wife can prepare packed lunches as a way to provide a better meal at a lower cost. Woods advises avoiding fatty spreads like butter and mayonnaise without the husband noticing, while ensuring to add different flavors. One of Woods' favorite suggestions is canned tuna with peppers and a sprinkle of hot sauce. She also recommends opting for healthier types of bread, such as whole grain or whole wheat bread, and replacing potato chips with popcorn.
2. **Enhancing Grilling Skills**
With summer approaching, it's the perfect time to light the grill and have barbecues outdoors. Woods states, "Grilling is one of the healthiest ways to cook food; if your husband enjoys grilling, encourage him to do so." However, she advises avoiding fatty meats like burgers and sausages, focusing instead on chicken, lean cuts of beef, fish, and shrimp. Grilled vegetable skewers are also delicious.
3. **Encouraging Physical Activity**
Helping the husband become more active, especially if he has a sedentary office job, will assist in burning fat. Woods suggests that wives create "a list of household chores he can help with in the garden or at home." She adds that wives can also try to "make long walks part of the family routine on weekends." For instance, the wife could suggest parking farther away and walking instead or go for long evening walks during the summer as a great way to relax and burn calories.
4. **High-Protein Breakfasts**
Woods recommends that wives ensure their partners have a home-cooked breakfast, saying: "Avoid anything containing sugars that could lead to a spike in blood sugar levels; once this spike drops, hunger pangs will follow, leading to snacking mid-morning." She advises against toast, jam, cereals, and fruit juices, recommending instead a "quick breakfast made of suitable and rich food – like eggs on bread." If the wife is pressed for time, a protein-rich drink is a good compromise.
5. **Subtle Snack Adjustments**
Woods suggests keeping "sliced bread in the freezer instead of fresh in the bread basket, making it impossible to prepare a quick sandwich, leaving only fruit as an easily available option." She explains that sweets, cakes, and chips can be placed on the top shelf of the kitchen cupboard, preferably one that requires a chair or ladder to access. Woods concludes her tips by emphasizing, "It's better to buy small snack-sized bags of chips, not large bags, so if someone must eat something while sitting in front of the TV, a small amount can be placed in a bowl rather than offering a whole bag."
