ask mh Every time I over-eat, I feel like I have a hangover the next day. Why? – RK So you ate your weight in steak and chips? No wonder you feel dusty. You likely overdosed on fat and sodium, says Dr Jay Kuemmerle, chairman of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Centre. It takes a long time for your stomach to break down and absorb fat. The more meat pies or fully loaded nachos you eat, the more fat you’re stuffing into your stomach, leaving you feeling nauseous and overstuffed. Salt makes you suffer in a different way. Consuming large amounts causes your gastrointestinal tract to draw more water out of your body, which will eventually need to be flushed out through your kidneys. That leads to dehydration, headaches and more trips to the toilet. Next time, recover by drinking lots of water and eating hydrating, fibre-rich fruits like grapefruit and tangerines. In fact, forget that – don’t let there be a next time.
Ask the MH girls the questions you can’t ask anyone else. They’re three women with strong opinions, so don’t expect sugarcoated responses Got a question for Ask Men’s Health or The Girls in the Office? Email menshealth@pacificmags.com.au or head to yahoo7.com.au/menshealth.
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Ladies, I’m obsessed with music – I play several instruments and have a massive album collection. But the girl I’ve just started seeing has terrible taste in tunes – her idea of a great song is Gangnam Style. Should I nip this in the bud early, or do you – TR reckon I’m being shallow? Crystelle Short answer: you’re being shallow. One of the best things about relationships is learning and discovering new things from your partner. Why don’t you introduce your new lady to some of your favourite tunes and explain why you’re so passionate about them? You might convert her yet! Cassie Well, if you’re shallow, TR, then so am I, because I see no future here. Good music can take you to so many places – Gangnam Style will only set you on a
Is there any difference between matcha green tea and the regular stuff? – AN Let’s just say that regular green tea has met its matcha. As you may know, your typical green brew is overflowing with health benefits – scientists think it may help reduce the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Well, matcha is supercharged green tea, says dietitian Jim White. This Japanese tea has three times the amount of epigallocatechin gallate (a potent antioxidant) as regular green tea. Plus, matcha contains theanine, an amino acid linked to improved cognitive performance. Preperation-wise, matcha couldn’t be easier, with no soggy tea bags to toss. Once the leaves are harvested, they’re dried and ground into a fine powder that you stir into hot water. To make a cup, start by boiling 120 millitres of water. Whisk two teaspoons of an organic matcha concentrate with four teaspoons of room-temperature water until a smooth paste forms. Finally, add the hot water. The drink has a clean, grassy sweetness. And, at 66 milligrams of caffeine per 250ml of prepared tea, it has more kick than black tea but less than a cup of coffee. highway to musical hell. I recommend pulling the plug on this relationship and giving me a call instead. Alice Does she get down and dirty to Ke$ha? Does she wake you up with Nickleback? Does she ever play Big Boi as background music when your folks are over for dinner? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you have my permission to school her misguided taste. Just don’t expect her to listen – to you or your tunes.
Q
I often hear girls say they want a tall guy and won’t even consider a short guy. I’m 165 centimetres – give or take – and I feel inadequate. People say just be happy in your own skin, but it’s easier said than done. I’m lost for – AJ answers. Alice AJ, stop reading my reply – now. I’m a tall girl and I go for equally vertically blessed fellas. For practical reasons, mostly – I like to go on the same height-restrictive rides at theme parks. But not all girls discriminate, just look at Tom and Katie. They worked out just fine . . . Oh. Crystelle C’mon, AJ, lets stop the pity party and get real. I reckon the only reason girls aren’t giving you a look in is because you’re a whinger. Be confident and happy within yourself and see how that goes. Cassie Sing it, sister! You’re hardly a hobbit, AJ. Sorry to be short with you (see what I did there?), but it’s time to stop using your height as an excuse for not getting laid. The real reason seems to be that you’re not confident enough. Perhaps you should work on that.
Q
My girlfriend uses the Find My iPhone app to check up on me when we’re not together. I’ve got nothing to hide, but she obviously doesn’t trust me. If I change my password she’ll go nuts. – KP Any suggestions? Alice A relationship without trust is like a breakfast without bacon. It’s. Not. On. Cassie You could have so much fun with this, KP. Twice a week, tell her you’re going to a mate’s place, then park your car outside a local gay bar with your phone locked inside for a few hours. Crystelle Bunny-boiler alert! This is totally not okay, KP. Change your password immediately and tell her that her over-zealous monitoring of your whereabouts is plain creepy. You need to put your foot down on this one.
Q
My fiancé’s parents are constantly staying for the weekend in our spare room. I love them, but we seriously need some space. How can I deal with this delicately? – TN Crystelle Can you turn your spare bedroom into a home gym instead? In all seriousness, have an honest chat with your fiancé and set down some ground rules. Alice Find a compromise. One weekend at yours, the next at the Hotel Formule 1 penthouse. I hear great things about their vending machine and rumour has it they air daily re-runs of The Bachelorette. Cassie This is a tough one, TN. If you have a good relationship with your in-laws they probably think you love having them to visit. But they’re grown ups and had in-laws at one stage, too, so sit them down and be honest. Then, when they do come to visit on your terms, make it extra special.