Liza Rowan, Nutrition specialist and founder of Health & Vitality Pte Ltd, is an energetic, sporty and fun-loving mother of 2 young boys. She spent her early years in Ireland, and has since lived in Australia, Scotland, Austria, Canada, Hong Kong and now Singapore. She embraces the challenges that each ‘new life’ brings, with particular interest in all matters relating to natural and holistic living, especially nutrition.
Love your libido? And so you should! Having a ‘healthy appetite’ is an indication that you are unlikely to be over-stressed, over-tired or over-worked. In addition, having a good libido (and using it) helps maintain that youthful glow as a result of all those good endorphins that flow.
What if you are feeling stressed, tired or that your libido is in need of a little boost? With today’s busy lifestyle, many of us are under constant pressure, causing our cortisol levels (stress hormone) to increase. This in turn can impact the quality of our sleep, health, attitude, energy, and therefore, our libido. Practicing yoga, meditation, gentle exercises, avoiding alcohol and coffee will of course help.
But are there ‘foods of love’ that will bring about a little more passion? Luckily yes: here are a few you can start to get excited about right now. Some foods work better for males, and others for females, but there’s one in the list that will benefit both sexes.
Obviously there’s a reason we exchange this heavenly gift at this time of year, although we’ve taken a lot of liberties in changing it from its healthiest form to a sugary treat.
Chocolate originates from cocoa beans which were hailed as a symbol of ‘life and fertility’ by the Mayans in Central America around 500 B.C. The Aztecs of Central Mexico believed that cocoa has fortifying and aphrodisiac properties, while later after Columbus brought it back to Europe, Spanish and French royalty would gift chocolate to win over passions, much like today.
Nutritionally, dark chocolate (70%+) and especially raw chocolate, are the healthiest forms, containing flavonoids – an antioxidant which contributes to a healthy heart. Chocolate is high in magnesium, calcium and some B vitamins, which are often depleted when under stress. So when lust and desire are what you’re after, sharing some quality chocolate will certainly help get you in the mood.
Males – To Yank Up His Mojo
Pumpkin Seeds
These are high in zinc, a key nutrient for the male reproductive system, and in phytosterols, which are touted to encourage prostate enlargement. Perhaps not as well received as a gift of chocolate, but they are great when sprinkled on salads, stir-fries and soups roasted with spices or used in energizing Bliss Balls.
Beef
Beef is high in zinc and protein, especially the amino acid arginine. Arginine improves blood flow and is often used to treat male fertility. When you ‘crave some meat’, choose from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals when possible, and enjoy without added fats, sauces or salt.
Walnuts
Walnuts are the oldest tree food known to man, known as ‘food for the brain’ with their high level of omegas 3s, which contribute to healthy male fertility. They are also rich in vitamin E, which is important for healthy reproduction. Crack open these nuts to use as a healthy snack, in salads, homemade granolas and in baked goods.
Oysters
Well, we had to slip these in! Ladies, you can probably forget everything you read up to this point and just for straight for these little suckers. According to the ancient Greeks, oysters are the true food of love. The have the highest concentration of zinc, (essential for testosterone and sperm production) surpassing any other food on the planet by a lover’s long embrace.
Females – For The Lady You Lust
Sunflower Seeds
Coming from the vibrant, energising sunflower, these seeds are high in vitamin B6, which is important for hormonal balance, along with magnesium, which is calming but also helps with energy creation in our cells.
Almonds
In Roman times, guest showered the bride and groom with almonds as a ‘fertility charm’, which possibly inspired sugared almonds being placed on guest tables in recent times. Almonds are high in magnesium and vitamin E, (or tocopherol, which comes from Greek means ‘ to bear children’). Chocolate covered almonds would be perfect to get her nuts for you.
Salmon
Oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) are very high in Omega 3, which are critical in building our sex hormones and blood flow. Choose ‘wild’ over farmed, and enjoy ‘lightly dressed’ with a dash of lemon for extra zing!
Legumes
These are very high in folic acid, which is key to healthy female reproduction. Choose lentils, chickpeas (garbanzo beans) or black-eyed peas and use in soups, dips and curry dishes to really ‘spice things up’.
Eggs
A symbol of fertility and birth, abundant in folic acid and vitamin B12 (these nutrients works in conjunction with each other), and also providing the perfect ratio of essential amino acids. The ideal breakfast food – poached, scrambled, in an omelet. Serve along side asparagus spears for an added dose of folic acid.
We all crave foods that stimulate our taste buds and get us excited for a meal, especially when shared with a loved one. George Bernard Shaw once said, “There is no greater love than the love of food”. We all desire to bring a little more romance into our lives, so let’s flirt more with these foods that are not only healthy for us, but might give us a “fairy tale” happy ending.
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