Not Tonight, Honey, I have a headache. Sound familiar? Yes, of course you love your man, but for all of us, there are times when we’re just not in the mood. How do we get there—fast? Let’s start with food to get you in the mood.
Scenario: It’s just another weeknight, and you’re finishing dinner. Out of nowhere, he shoots you that sideways glance. You know That Look. He’s reminding you that you haven’t done IT in weeks. But today was so busy that now you’re beyond tired. All you can think about is crawling into bed and binge watching the newest, best TV shows.
Need some new TV shows to watch? Check these out!
You, my friend, are not alone. In an iVillage survey of 2,000 women, 63 percent said they’d rather sleep, watch a movie or read than have sex. YIKES. So what’s the cause of this dry spell and how what can we do to get ourselves in the mood more often? Believe it or not, food and mood go hand in hand. When you make whole food choices and add some of the key libido-boosting nutrients to your daily diet, you will notice that your mysterious headache quickly vanishes.
THIS -> Foods can actually act as aphrodisiacs. So here’s what you need to eat RIGHT NOW.
THE BEST APHRODISIAC FOODS TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD FOR SEX
Zinc
The most important hormone for libido-boosting is testosterone. Low testosterone levels can be the cause of low drive in both men and women. When your diet is high in saturated fats, caffeine and alcohol, your testosterone levels decrease causing your sex drive to sink right along with it. Zinc is essential for both testosterone and sperm production and blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen.
FUN FACT: In men, low levels of zinc correlate with erectile and sexual dysfunction. One of my nutrition professors once recommended that husbands eat pumpkin seeds. A high dose of zinc is good for the dink.
Foods that are high in zinc:
- Oysters
- Sesame seeds
- Roasted pumpkin seeds
- Crimini mushrooms
- Spinach
- Summer squash
- Cocoa powder
Learn to Shuck Your Own Oysters!
Tyrosine
At the core of our sexual motivation is tyrosine. It stimulates the production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and arousal. Tyrosine drives and motivates us to do things, like want to have sex on a Wednesday night when you’ve been up since 5:00am. The pleasure centre in the brain associated with sex is typically driven by dopamine. 
FUN FACT: When dopamine levels are low, you might find yourself craving for sugar, cheese, red meat or alcohol since those foods contain natural opiates that stimulate the dopamine receptors in your brain. What you want to do is resist polishing off the Oreos or pouring that second glass of red wine, in hopes that sugar or alcohol will get you in the mood. Instead, choose foods rich in tyrosine since this amino acid can stimulate dopamine production.
Foods that are high in tyrosine:
- Fish
- Peanuts
- Oats
- Almonds
- Lima Beans
- Avocado
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sesame seeds
Maca
Maca is known as “nature’s Viagara” so if you are looking for a little pick-me-up then start adding this superfood to your daily smoothie. This power packed nutrient has been used for centuries to boost energy, improve memory and sharpen concentration. Maca is an adaptogen, meaning it helps to restore balance within the entire body. One of the powers of this magical powder is its ability to support the body’s endocrine system by improving communication between the brain and the pituitary gland, as well as the adrenals.
FUN FACT: Not only will maca help boost sexual desire but it is also a rich source of energy-dense carbohydrates and is very high in B vitamins, which increase energy and decrease stress. Just 1 to 2 teaspoons of maca added your daily smoothie, bowl of yogurt or sprinkled on your high fibre cereal, works wonders.
So no more excuses. From here on out, eat well and go at it!
