There are some foods you should definitely not eat before you get to work. (Photo: Waferboard via Flickr)
We all think about nutrition to improve our performance in the gym or even at work, so why not in the bedroom too?
“Some foods can make you tired, sluggish and bloated, and that can interfere with good sex,” says Lorraine Perretta, nutritional therapist and expert at the Advanced Nutrition Programme. “So you have to think, ‘I’m going to have sex tonight, what should I not order for dinner?'”
We’ll address some of these food faux pas that could be affecting your performance in bed.
steak
Sure, a romantic dinner at a nice restaurant is usually an opportunity to treat yourself to a prime piece of meat. But unfortunately, a big steak won’t help you feel sexy later. “Large meals can cause the body’s energy and blood flow to be focused on digestion rather than sex,” explains Lorraine. “Meat can take up to four hours to digest.”
Garlic
Aside from giving your lovers bad breath, garlic is also said to be the main culprit for making a man’s semen taste funny, along with caffeine, red meat and onions. “There are reports that vegetarians’ bodily fluids taste better than those of meat eaters,” says Lorraine. “I haven’t seen any research on this though.” So cut out the meat and garlic and eat more greens instead (wheatgrass is said to help with this).
Heavy carbohydrates
Another food to avoid if you don’t want to feel lethargic and sleepy. “Carbs like potatoes, bread and pasta raise blood sugar levels in the short term, but a few hours later blood sugar levels drop and so does energy,” says Lorraine. For optimal energy during sex, stick to a low-carb dinner.
Sugar
While sweet treats may tempt the taste buds, they are no friend to the ecosystem in your gut. “Sugar feeds the unfriendly bacteria that colonize the gut,” says Lorraine. “When fed, they can produce toxins that lead to bloating, wind, and stomach pain.” No one wants to start a night of passion with bloating.
alcohol
This may seem obvious, but no one has ever had the most satisfying sexual experience when they’re drunk. “One drink can make you feel sexy, but too much of it will impair performance and pleasure in the long run,” says Lorraine. And like sugar, alcohol isn’t good for your gut. See above.
And one you should eat: tuna
“Eating plenty of fruit, vegetables and fatty fish will give you the vitamins and minerals you need to increase testosterone levels, the sex drive hormone in both men and women,” says Lorraine. Studies in particular have shown that vitamin D helps boost testosterone levels, and tuna is a great source of vitamin D.
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