Dudes love meat, while women go for sweets — or so the stereotype goes.
Turns out, a better understanding of gender differences in food preferences can help both men and women make better choices and maintain a healthy weight, as nutritionist Madelyn Fernstrom and psychiatrist Dr. Gail Saltz explained this morning on TODAY.
In studies that examine the intersection between food taste and gender, women tend to prefer sweet-fat combinations (think candy, ice cream and, of course, chocolate) while men prefer salt-fat combinations (like pizza, chips and burgers). Research looking at men and women's comfort food preferences show similar findings — dudes go for meals like steak or stew, while women usually want sweet snacks like, again, chocolate and ice cream.
Generally speaking, women may need to up the iron in their diet, and men might do well to gobble down more fruits and veggies.
What about you? Are your food cravings typical of your gender, or do you buck the stereotype? Tell us about your biggest food weaknesses on our Facebook page.