Health & Wellness - 4 minute read

Date Night Dinner: Dishes to Increase Libido


Add an extra spark to your next night out with these tasty treats

As menopausal women navigate changing hormones, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and night sweats, the resulting decrease in sex drive can feel like adding insult to injury. But while low libido is common during this stage of life, there’s no need to throw in the towel when it comes to having great sex. Adjusting your exercise, sleep, and other lifestyle factors can make a big impact, and you can also get results between the sheets by analyzing what’s on your plate. 

Supplements are a great place to start: Kindra’s Core Dietary Supplement uses super-antioxidant Pycnogenol to regulate body temperature, increase skin suppleness, and regulate mood swings—all of which can help get you going in the bedroom by easing your stress and helping you feel more comfortable in your skin.

The Core Supplement

Shop Now

And here, we’ve also rounded up six foods to add to your next date-night dinner. Whether you’re biting into a chocolate-covered strawberry or cooling down with a slice of fresh watermelon, these nutrient-packed dishes are sure to get you going. 

Pumpkin Seeds 

Pepitas can add crunch to a salad or stand alone as a sweet-and-salty snack. But they can also boost libido thanks to their high levels of zinc. In men, zinc can promote arousal and assist in maintaining an erection. For women, zinc blocks estrogen production, which can help increase mood-boosting testosterone. Pumpkin seeds also contain omega-3 essential fatty acids, which can trigger higher dopamine levels in the brain—getting you turned on faster. Serve them toasted and salted as a cocktail bite or add cinnamon sugar for a slightly sweet snack.

Arugula and Other Leafy Greens

You already know that dark, leafy greens can bust brain fog and promote bone strength. Is it any wonder that they can help your sex life, too? Arugula has a centuries-long reputation as libido-boosting fare, with nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and Vitamins A and C that contribute to sexual health. Try it in a simple salad with olive oil and lemon for an extra-citrusy boost of Vitamin C, or blend it with almond and mint for a vibrant pesto. Dietary nitrates in kale, spinach, and other greens can also increase blood circulation and prevent vaginal dryness. For extra help down there, combine dietary changes with Kindra’s daily vaginal lotion: 95% of those who try it report a clear improvement after just two uses.

Watermelon 

This summertime favorite is an excellent source of citrulline, a non-essential amino acid. Citrulline dilates your blood vessels, encouraging blood flow to all parts of the body—including your genitals. In fact, citrulline is frequently compared to drugs that treat erectile dysfunction. Watermelon offers added bonuses for menopausal women, too: Its high water content and physically cool temperature can ward off hot flashes. Add it to the date-night menu as a refreshing pre-dinner salad (we’re partial to this mint-and-feta-studded number from Love & Lemons) or try it alone as a sweet treat after the meal. 

Oysters 

These beautiful bivalves have long been renowned as aphrodisiacs—and for good reason. Oysters contain high levels of zinc, which can aid in testosterone production. They also offer amino acids that can encourage sexual stimulation. Try ordering a dozen on the half shell before your meal out at a restaurant, or add an upscale touch to your dinner at home—companies like Island Creek Oysters offer mail-order oysters year-round. Go decadent (in moderation) with a classic Oysters Rockefeller recipe, or try topping the raw ones with a simple homemade mignonette

Asparagus 

Asparagus as a libido-booster might come as a surprise: After all, its best-known after-effects aren’t exactly sexy. But the spring vegetable holds many nutrients that can actually get you going in the bedroom. Its high levels of Vitamin E, for example, can amp up the blood flow to your lady parts, and the potassium content can contribute to the production of hormones. When prepping asparagus at home, try to avoid common high-fat toppings like butter-laden hollandaise. Instead, try something light and refreshing. This romaine, asparagus, and watercress salad with shrimp contains plenty of nutrients, a flavor-packed dressing, and high water content to balance your body temperature even when things between you and your partner start to get steamy. 

Strawberries 

Chocolate-covered strawberries may be a stereotypical date-night dish, but its star ingredient offers benefits that go beyond dessert. Cultures have incorporated strawberries into romantic traditions for generations, whether it was for the fruit’s heart-shaped look or the lore around its connection to Greek gods. But the culprit for its aphrodisiac qualities is quite simple: Vitamin C. In addition to fueling your immune system, Vitamin C can amp up libido by aiding in your body’s natural production of sex hormones. To reap the rewards, add strawberries to a starter salad with basil and goat cheese or roast them to enjoy on top of Greek or dairy free yogurt for a sweet after-dinner treat.

Want to reset your nutrition? Follow this 3-day program created by a Registered Dietitian that’s full of nutritious foods and simple recipes that even the busiest of us can follow to jumpstart healthy habits.

 

Our Kindra 3-Day Reset

3-Day Reset

Shop Now


Continue the Conversation

I need help. I act crazy mean and I’m gonna drive him
Away. And I have no desire to have sex

— Holly Geronzin

Thank you for all the information.

— Susan Leigh


Leave a Reply