Couples hoping to spice up their love life have long turned to candlelight, romantic music, and a bottle of wine. But can the menu serve as an aphrodisiac as well?
Here’s the bad news: Sadly, there isn’t much science behind foods that get you in the mood.
“Foods such as chocolate, oysters, shrimp, and strawberries have been identified as aphrodisiacs, but little evidence supports that these foods produce any significant effects,” according to Jim White, a registered dietitian nutritionist, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, exercise physiologist, and owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios.
Lentils, grapes, truffles, pine nuts, artichokes, vanilla, alcohol, figs, honey, and even the spice turmeric are other foods touted as ways to increase libido.
Here’s the food news: Enjoying a healthy dietary lifestyle regularly will improve how someone feels physically and mentally, which naturally impacts their love life, according to White.
“When the body feels healthy and is working properly, the individual is more likely to desire engaging in acts of love,” he says.
So what’s a healthy dietary lifestyle? It includes fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of water every day.
“When men and women are eating healthy and exercising, they look better for their partner and they are more self-confident, which can improve their overall love life,” he says.
Steer clear of most unhealthy foods, especially in excess. A poor diet can make someone feel tired, cause excessive weight gain, or negatively impact her mood.
Consuming less-than-healthy foods will adversely impact blood flow and digestion in the body, which can lower the desire to have a healthy love life.
So what about those so-called aphrodisiacs? Oysters, shrimp, strawberries, lentils, grapes, truffles, pine nuts, artichokes, vanilla, alcohol, figs, honey, and yes, a little chocolate, are nutrient-rich foods that taste delicious and can improve your health and that of your sweetheart, too.
Christine Palumbo is a nutritionist in Naperville, Ill. Find her at Christine Palumbo Nutrition on Facebook,
@PalumboRD on Twitter, or Chris
Peppered filet mignon with blackberry glaze
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
Steak:
1 tsp. crushed black peppercorns
1/2 tsp. sea salt
4 filet mignon about 5 ounces each and 1½ inch thick
1 tbsp. olive oil
Blackberry Sauce:
¼ cup finely chopped shallots
½ cup dry red wine (Cabernet preferred)
1 cup beef broth
3 tbsp. seedless blackberry preserves
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
DIRECTIONS: Rub crushed peppercorns and sea salt on both sides of steak. Heat oil in large heavy skillet on medium-high heat. Add steaks and cook six to eight minutes or until desired doneness, turning once. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
In the same skillet sauté shallots for one minute. Stir wine into skillet, scraping any brown bits from skillet. Let wine boil until reduced by half. Stir in blackberry preserves and broth, let boil until reduced by half. Whisk in butter.
Serve steaks with sauce drizzled over.
NUTRITION FACTS: 390 calories, 13 g carbohydrates (10 g sugar), 33 g protein, 20 g fat (8 g saturated), 1 g fiber, 20% DV iron, 2% DV calcium, 4% DV Vitamin A, 2% DV Vitamin C.
Recipe adapted from and used with permission by orego
