In a world that celebrates physical prowess and appearance, men’s diets have undergone a significant evolution, driven by the dynamic gym culture and the quest for optimal nutrition. This blog post endeavors to decode the intricate web of male diet trends that have shaped—and continue to shape—the contemporary man’s journey to fitness and health. We aim to demystify the layers of marketing, myths, and misconceptions, offering a transparent look at the diets that pervade our social networks and gym talk.
The Rise of Popular Male Diet Trends in Men’s Physique
We begin by exploring the historical shifts in men’s body trends then discuss popular diet trends for men later on in the blog. This section aims to highlight the ever changing stressors that a man might experience from changing body trends. From the era of the muscular figures, to bulky bodybuilders, to lean aesthetics then dad bods, men’s bodies and diets have mirrored the cultural changes over time.
1920s-1950s
This was a time where mainstream Hollywood film came into play. This had rapid effects on the changing perspectives of societies view on the male body. Due to the camera’s distortion of the body and making things larger then they seem trends became to develop. Hollywood standard became that men had to have athletic, lean and clean cut which shaped this generations view on the male body.
1960s-1970s
During this period, a new generation began rejecting established social norms, amidst the Vietnam War and the ascendancy of rock and roll. Iconic figures like Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, and members of The Beatles popularized a transition from the athletic to a thinner, more slender physique, with less emphasis on muscle definition.
1980s
The 1980s saw a push towards extreme bodybuilding, with actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone at the forefront. Diet culture experienced a surge in fat-phobia, and fat-free products became widespread. Simultaneously, the glam metal scene offered a contrasting image: men in feminine attire and voluminous hairstyles, yet with more muscular builds than the ’60s.
1990s-2000s
The trend for men took a slimmer approach yet still muscular approach. There wasn’t as much bulking up but athleticism and musculature were still prominent features that defined male bodies at the time.
2015-now
Our current culture embraces a broader range of male bodies, from Seth Rogen and Jason Segel to Jonah Hill. There’s a newfound appreciation for diverse body types, though Hollywood still often resorts to body manipulation to fit specific roles. While there’s progress in normalizing various body shapes, there’s still work to be done.
Popular Diets Amongst Men in the Gym
Next, we delve into popular male diet trends among the fitness-focused male demographic, examining the ketogenic, carnivore, paleo, intermittent fasting, and plant-based diets for their benefits, risks, and sustainability.
Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate regimen designed to induce ketosis, a state where the body burns fat for energy. Men, particularly gym enthusiasts, are drawn to it for its potential to promote weight loss and improve endurance. Generally, most of the weight loss comes from water weight that is attached to glycogen (our carbohydrate body stores). Therefore, whenever someone goes off of the diet, they will easily gain the weight back.
The body relies on carbohydrates as its main fuel source, therefore it puts the bodies in a stressed state to change the fuel source to fat. This is sometimes called the keto-flu where people experience nausea, irritability and brain fog. The symptoms and rigidity raise concerns about its long-term sustainability and potential nutritional deficiencies highlight the need for careful consideration and possible supplementation. These nutritional deficiencies have led those following the diet to have to eat kidney or livers in order to obtain these essential b-vitamins (used for energy/metabolism). My preference would be obtaining it through bread or vitamins, but that’s just me and my taste palate!
Carnivore Diet
This diet focuses exclusively on animal products, arguing for benefits in muscle building and fat loss due to high protein and low carbohydrate intake. Despite its simplicity, the carnivore diet raises questions about long-term health implications, including nutrient deficiencies and increased risk of certain diseases due to the lack of dietary diversity. Plus fiber is an essential nutrient and is only
Paleo Diet
This trend is one that grinds my gears the most. Every trip to the store, there is a new “paleo” product. A writer for the Atlantic, Alesh Houdek writes, “By returning to the diet of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, the proponents of Paleo claim, we can restore our happiness, health, and waistlines.” The last I checked sausages and pancakes weren’t part of a caveman’s diet also food and nutrition isn’t something to be controlled to “find happiness”. Emulating ancient human diets, the Paleo diet emphasizes whole foods, lean proteins, and avoids processed foods. Its popularity toes closely with the undiagnosed condition of orthorexia and sometimes blurs the line where purity of food is focused on.
Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting (IF) involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting, focusing not on what you eat but when. Its popularity among men can be attributed to reported benefits like improved body composition, weight loss, and enhanced cognitive function. While IF shows promise, potential drawbacks include difficulty in maintaining social eating schedules and possible overeating during feeding periods. From my own experience, it can be extremely unmanageable and lead to meals that seem to feel as binges. I was experiencing the phenomena of “last supper eating” where I felt immense pressure to eat all the foods that I needed in a short period of time which led to GI distress and discomfort.
The Plant Based Movement
The landscape of men’s health includes the emerging plant-based movement, challenging the stereotype that it’s only for women. There are some schools of thought that believe that going vegan will help cure any ailment. There are even documentaries on many streaming platforms such as “What the Health” that use fear mongering techniques to persuade individuals to fear meats and animal protein. I’m speaking from experience here, even an eating disorder dietitian can fall prey to the manipulation of popular media! In reality, the anxiety around the food would cause greater harm to ourselves than any food could.
The Bottom Line on Diet Culture
While these popular male diet trends offer structure, it’s important to recognize the potential downsides. The allure of quick results can often overshadow the importance of a balanced and sustainable eating plan. It’s essential to consider the long-term impacts of highly restrictive diets, both physically and mentally. A balanced diet that can be maintained over the long haul, possibly with the guidance of a nutrition professional, is usually the healthiest choice.
In the realm of diet culture, it’s not just about the immediate gains but also about nourishing the body for life’s marathon. If you were intrigued by my current discussion on the diet culture and want to know more about diet culture trends throughout history, check out my post that goes in a deep dive into the history of trends. The best diet is one that is balanced, enjoyable, and sustainable—providing the fuel needed to power through both workouts and everyday activities. Unfortunately, you can’t “sell” products on a balanced diet like you can with niche diet trends which could be why there is so much money put on convincing you to stray from a balanced diet.
The Takeaway
Diet culture, especially in the context of gym and fitness, can be both a motivator and a minefield. To add to the mix, body image standards helps to fuel these diet trends and can lead an individual to a full blown eating disorder. It’s essential to approach dietary changes with a focus on health and sustainability, rather than quick fixes. By doing so, we not only foster a healthier relationship with food but also support our long-term fitness and wellness goals.
