With Valentine’s Day approaching, plans of how to spend the day of love begin to surface. Since the dawn of time, one of the most popular ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day is with a romantic dinner date. What may come after a romantic Valentine’s Day meal you may ask? A spicy night can be the perfect dessert to wrap up a date with your partner. However, sometimes after a big delicious meal, sex isn’t the first thing on everyone’s mind. Fatigue, nausea, bloating, or that overall non-sexy feeling from certain foods may impact the intimate plans you have with your partner in the bedroom.
To find solutions to this problem, we reached out to a certified dietitian McKenzie Caldwell. She is the owner of Feed Your Zest Nutrition & Wellness and has been practicing for over seven years with a focus on hormones and body positivity. We chatted with her about which foods to eat and avoid to assure you and your partners’ late-night plans go uninterrupted.
Does what you eat really play a role in sex-drive?
Many people may be unaware of just how much your diet impacts libido, even in young adults. “In order to have a healthy sex drive, you have to have healthy hormones — this requires eating ENOUGH food overall, first and foremost,” Caldwell explained to Spoon University When you undereat, your body goes into survival mode. One of the first things to shut down in order to save energy will be your reproductive system, which ultimately leads to a lower sex drive.
‘Aphrodisiacs’ are a myth.
The idea that aphrodisiacs, or foods that purport to boost your libido, is not fully supported by science or research. It is true that some foods can produce ‘feel good’ compounds or support fertility, but information on whether the impacts are real or placebo is limited. In result, focusing on foods that fit these certain guidelines may limit what you feel you are ‘able’ to eat, which can cause negative impacts. Caldwell recommends “a balanced meal with carbs, protein, and fats and eating until you are comfortably full.” Feeling hungry is not sexy, and you “need energy to get it on,” as Caldwell puts it.
You may want to skip out on the alcohol.
Food restriction is mostly frowned upon, and if you love something, eat it. However, when it comes down to things you know that for sure upset your stomach or make you feel sick, it is always best to avoid those. If you are sensitive to dairy or get heartburn, avoid dairy heavy meals or anything with too much acid or spice. Even going on a brisk walk after your meal (holding hands and doing some sightseeing can build the Valentine’s Day vibe) will help you assure you feel your best.
Everyone loves a good glass of wine or cocktail with dinner, and though this seems like the best way to get in the mood, Caldwell explains that “many folks find that drinking actually makes it difficult to orgasm or get an erection.” Although everyone reacts differently to different amounts of alcohol, keeping the consumption to a minimum can lead to better sex.
Food and sex can be a super fun and exciting way to spice things up in the bedroom. Making sure you are eating enough and consuming the best things for your body is essential to finishing off the night successfully.
Cooking dinner with your partner not only assures you know everything going into the meal and how your body will react, but it can also be a great bonding moment between you and your partner. As Caldwell put simply, “who doesn’t love a good kitchen makeout sesh?”