Women
are more likely to gain weight after marriage, according to a
recent study from Ohio State University. One solution:
understand your nutritional needs. "Don’t think you and
your significant other can eat the same amount of food,"
says Jessica Levinson, a registered dietitian in New York
City.
Don’t
match him bite for bite … Men often are taller and more
muscular than women and can eat more without gaining weight.
While women generally need 1,600 to 2,200 calories a day —
the higher number is for younger, more active women — the
range for men is 2,200 to 2,800.
… or
sip for sip. Women have lower amounts of an enzyme that breaks
down alcohol and less body water to dilute it. Stick to one
drink a day.
Don’t
gobble food. Men tend to eat faster than women. Put down
utensils between bites, chew food thoroughly and use smaller
forks and spoons (a teaspoon for cereal, say, rather than a
soup spoon).
Know
your needs. Talk to a registered dietitian or find an online
calculator for calorie recommendations based on gender, age,
size and exercise habits. Consider a multi-vitamin that offers
sex-specific formulas; women often need more of certain
substances (iron) and less of others (protein).
Eat well
when you’re alone. Fill up on fruits, vegetables, lean
protein and whole grains.
Don’t
"let yourself go." Share diet and fitness goals with
your significant other, ask for support and identify behaviors
that interfere with them. Also find an exercise you can enjoy
as a couple.
Be a
creative cook. Tweak favorite "manly" foods: bake
chicken with bread crumbs rather than frying it, for example,
grill with olive oil instead of butter and use low-fat cheeses
in sandwiches and recipes.