While these delectables have long been rumored as fun aphrodisiacs that will spice up your love life, it's only a quick fix at best and extra calories at worst. Long-term sexual health requires a balanced, nutritious diet that may occasionally include chocolate, champagne, and oysters, but it's foundation is built on good nutrition. "Sexual Fitness: 7 Essential Elements To Optimizing Your Sensuality, Satisfaction and Well-being" by Hank C. K. Wuh, M.D., and MeiMei Fox outlines specific nutritional steps for better sex. Follow these and you'll be saying ooh-la-la!
Step 1: Down With Fat, Up With Fruit
High-fat foods lead to heart disease and cancer. They can also clog blood
flow in your arteries--including blood flow to your genitals, which can interfere
with sexual pleasure. On the other hand, low-fat foods decrease cholesterol
levels and can even reverse the effects of arteriosclerosis. What to eat:
Think FRESH and NATURAL. Fresh fruits. Fresh vegetables. Whole grains. Avoid
foods that have chemicals and preservatives. Avoid fried foods.
Step 2: Lower Your Cholesterol
Did you know that when a man goes to his doctor complaining of erectile
dysfunction, the doctor will likely tell him he is at high risk for heart
disease and arteriosclerosis? This is why: Cholesterol blocks blood circulation
to the small blood vessels. That's bad for your heart. It's also bad for
sex since it prevents adequate blood flow from reaching the genital region.
And, ladies, the research evidence shows the same may be true for you. What
to do: Exercise, don't smoke, lose weight. Cut out high-cholesterol foods,
including egg yolks, butter, cream, red meat, bacon, oysters, shrimp, and
palm and coconut oils.
Step 3: Snack on Fruits and Veggies
If you want to be sexually fit, you have to be healthy. And the best way
to get healthy and stay healthy is by eating foods loaded with folic acid,
calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E. You'll get this by eating
leafy green veggies and fresh fruits. What to snack on: Broccoli, papaya,
oranges, sunflower seeds, almonds, fortified whole grain breads and cereals,
yogurt, and mango.
Step 4: Think "Whole"
Think "whole" as in whole grains, nuts, and seeds, all of which add fiber
and complex carbs to your diet which are a foundation for cardiovascular
health. As you reduce your risk for heart disease, you beef up your sexual
fitness. What to eat: Whole grains galore. Choose a whole wheat bagel instead
of a plain one, brown rice over white rice, whole wheat bread over white
bread.
Step 5: Soy--It's Not Just for Hippies
We need protein to have enough of the essential amino acids, vitamins, and
minerals for optimum sexual function. But that doesn't mean you should reach
for a hamburger or steak. Instead, get your protein from low-fat sources:
fish, turkey and chicken without the skin, tofu, and beans. What to eat:
Soy products, such as tofu or veggie burgers made with soy.
Step 6: Spice It Up
Spicy food leads to a spicy love life! For thousands of years, people have
believed that spicy food enhances sexual response. Science says this is true--both
directly and indirectly. Spices warm our bodies, causing us to sweat and
get flushed as our heart rates rise. What does THAT sound like? What to eat:
Chili peppers, ginger, and garlic.