Before you get your freak on, you always get your food on. But can some of your meals be ruining your time between the sheets? Here are 17 food faux pas.
Your date has just asked you for a third date and you’re thinking now is the time. He’s been so nice and so sweet, and tonight will be the night that will finally end up in the bedroom. In fact, you have rehearsed everything in your head: you’ll have dinner at that spot you’ve been telling him about, you’ll have a night cap in your favorite coffee shop, and when he drives you home, you’ll ask him to come up to your place… and the rest will be history.
You’ve shaved your legs, you’re wearing your sexiest undies, and you’re ready to go. However, are you sure you’re ready for the dinner that will pave the way for your sexual tryst? Before you even touch that menu, you should know that there are certain foods that can be mood-killers in the bedroom.
17 foods to avoid before a romp in the sack
From funky-ing up your breath and your real estate down there, to taking your libido six feet under, there are certain foods that can be anti-sex, just as there are aphrodisiac food choices that can put you in the mood. Take note of the following foods to watch out for before you order the meal that can make or break your sex life. [Read: Aphrodisiacs and food hell: A lover’s guide to eating well]
#1 Hot dogs. Although the hot dog’s shape can be very suggestive and titillating, noshing on some brats isn’t a guarantee for a great romp in the bedroom. This festival staple’s high saturated fat content can clog the penile and vaginal arteries, making your body less primed for sizzling hot sex.
#2 French fries. French fries, as well as other fried, salty foods, are also a no-no if you want to get it on with your partner. The trans-fat content in fries negatively impacts testosterone levels and circulation. Meanwhile, aside from bloating, the high salt content can make it tricky for men with high blood pressure to stay erect.
#3 Tofu. Tofu, as well as other soy-based foods which have plant-based phytoestrogens, can increase estrogen levels, which can kill a woman’s sex drive. Steer clear of the Agedashi Tofu at the Japanese restaurant next time you’re out and rearing to go. [Read: 12 safe and natural ways to increase your libido]
#4 Oatmeal. Although a small bowl of oatmeal is enough to make you feel good and full for an after-breakfast romp in the bedroom, you should be careful not to eat a lot of it. Eating bowl after bowl of oatmeal can lessen your sex drive—not to mention make you feel gassy.
#5 Broccoli. Broccoli equals bloating, and don’t you forget it. Aside from this healthy vegetable, you should also avoid its cruciferous cousins, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. They contain complex sugars, so the body needs to release methane to digest them. The last thing you want to do is release that methane when you’re in action.
#6 Red meat. A steak-and-potatoes dinner paired with a good wine can be a safe bet on your date. However, it may not be so safe for your sex life. Eating a hearty and fatty piece of red meat can make your body work harder to digest your food, bringing it into overdrive. When the time comes and you’re taking your date to the bedroom, you may feel too sleepy to perform well. [Read: How to pick the perfect restaurant for a date]
#7 Mint. Although bad breath can be a turn-off for your date, having mint or peppermint can be a turn-down for your sex drive. Studies have shown that menthol can reduce testosterone levels, making your after-dinner mints far from aphrodisiacs. [Read: 25 horny ways to increase your sex drive and keep it high]
#8 Gum. Although gum is not technically a food, many amours munch on sticks of gum right before a date or after a meal to mask the scent of what they just ate. However, while it can give you kissable breath, the air you are swallowing while chewing may give you gas, which can definitely kill the mood.
#9 Black licorice. Black licorice has been shown to bring about hormonal changes that can definitely affect the sex drive by suppressing it. This is true for both men and women. While you would have to eat plenty of licorice to feel its anti-aphrodisiac effect, you’d better hold off before jumping in the sack—just to be safe.
#10 Cheese. Cheese may be one of the most common food products and ingredients in existence, but if you want to up your sex life, you’d better stay away from it right before getting it on. Diary products can cause you to experience gas and bloating, so it might be a good idea to save the cheeseburger and pizza for later.
#11 Beans. Another no-no when it comes to pre-sex food is the almighty bean. Although they are great sources of protein, folate, and iron, eating beans on the day of or even right before having sex can cause you to become gassy and bloated. If you want to fit into your little black dress, skip that little black bean burrito.
#12 Microwavable popcorn. As popular as this movie-time snack may be, experts say to skip it when you’re in front of the silver screen with your date if you’re planning to take the date to a more intimate level afterwards. The chemicals in the linings of microwavable popcorn bags, which are the same as those found in nonstick pots and pans, are linked to a reduced sex drive in men as well as significantly lower sperm counts.
[Read: Movie date guide to building sexual chemistry in no time]
#13 Canned or processed foods. If you come to a “home-cooked” dinner date and find your partner mixing a bunch of canned foods together, that is definitely a deal breaker. Stay away from these goods, as they are extremely salty and may cause you to bloat, thereby ruining any chance you have of looking good in your nighties.
#14 Carbonated drinks. Soda and tonic water are no-nos if you want to end your evening on a romantically intimate note. Stay away from drinks that can make you feel gassy. All you want to hear from your partner are moans and sighs of pleasures, not belching, especially right before you kiss.
#15 Fruit right after a meal. Some bubbly and a bowl of strawberries may be a romantic post-dinner, pre-sex treat *just like in the movies*. However, fruits can digest pretty quickly without something heavier holding them back in your stomach. Thus, it’s better to wait a few hours before you eat those berries if you don’t want to end up with tummy troubles that can definitely ruin the mood.
#16 Energy drinks. If you’re tired but you want to keep your energy up while you meet up with your date, you might be reaching for an energy drink. Hold it! Energy drinks may be known as saviors for those critical moments, but when it comes to staying up through dinner and into the wee hours, you’d better rethink your energy drink go-to. They contain large doses of sugar and caffeine to give you a temporary surge of energy, followed by a crash. Basically, you’ll be impossibly perky on your dinner date, but will then fall asleep on your partner’s couch… just before sex.
#17 Alcoholic drinks. If you’ve only gone on a few dates and you want to break the ice with a few cocktails, skip the bar. Although alcohol can help you and your date loosen up and throw your inhibitions out the window, knocking back those cosmopolitans may not be a good idea. Alcohol can make you sleepy if you have too much, and you may find yourself feeling heavy, bloated, and flatulent. [Read: 10 sober reasons why drunken sex is never a good idea]
Although some of the food items mentioned above are actually healthy for you, you might want to steer clear of them right before sex. There’s no need to obliterate them completely from your diet. However, fatty, fried, salty, and processed foods should definitely be eaten in moderation if you want to enjoy a healthier, fitter body—one that will ensure you have a pleasurable time in the sack.
[Read: 10 dishes to get your sex drive to skyrocket instantly]
Meanwhile, try to substitute some of the foods on this list with other options while on your special date, especially those known for their aphrodisiac qualities. But above all, enjoy your evening out and let the night take you to pleasurable new heights!