•   News  
• Business
• Entertainment
• Pics
• Blogs
• Sports
• Obits
• Redskins
• Real Estate
• Classifieds
• Jobs
• Search Local
• Shop
• Bride & Groom

IT'S BEEN SAID that real men don't eat quiche, but apparently they like undercooked eggs. And meat--lots of meat.

A recent survey highlighted the different eating habits of American men and women, and it has fascinating implications for both relationships and health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveyed 15,000 men and women about their eating habits. The results show that American men eat more varieties of meat, while women eat more fruits and vegetables.

The researchers--who were looking at risks of food poisoning--found that men were more likely to eat undercooked meat and runny eggs, while women were more likely to eat alfalfa sprouts. The study also showed that men and women differ when it comes to comfort foods and spicy foods.

As a dietitian, it's the balance of meats versus vegetables overall that intrigues me. Are men and women biologically programmed to choose different foods, or does society program us to eat differently?

BEHIND THE CRAVINGS

From a scientific standpoint, men and women need roughly the same percentages of protein, fat and carbohydrates.

Men tend to need a few more calories then women overall, because men are taller on average. But despite having a larger percentage of muscle mass, men have the same protein needs as women--about a gram of protein for every kilogram of body weight. Pregnant women actually have higher protein needs than men.

And yet men--at least men in Western cultures--seem to crave meat, a big source of protein, more than women do.

The recent survey showed men are more likely than women to eat a variety of meats, such as ham, veal, duck and game hens, according to lead researcher Dr. Beletshachew Shiferaw, a physician and clinical epidemiologist for Oregon's Public Health Division.

Women ate more fruits, vegetables and nuts, such as raspberries, strawberries, carrots, tomatoes, almonds and walnuts, Dr. Shiferaw wrote.

Shiferaw's study didn't attempt to learn why the genders preferred different foods. I'll get to a few theories in a moment. But first, some more details about food preferences.

One study of British schoolchildren found that boys ages 6 to 14 already preferred meats, sausages and eggs, while girls preferred fruits and vegetables. Both boys and girls liked sugary, fatty foods best.