Boosting Your Sexual Drive

Want to add a little spice to your marriage? It might start in the kitchen. While there’s no magic food that flips a switch, what you eat affects your energy, circulation, mood, and hormones — all of which play into desire. Even better, planning and cooking a meal together is a built-in form of foreplay. So here’s a list of libido-friendly foods and a few recipe ideas for a flirty date night in.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. To learn more about ’em, click here. We’re not medical professionals — if low libido is a persistent concern, check in with your doctor, as it can have many causes.

First, a Little Honesty About Libido

Desire is complicated, and it’s rarely about one single thing. Sleep, stress, hormones, medication, body image, and — maybe most of all — emotional connection usually matter more than any grocery list. Food won’t override a rough week or a disconnect between you. But a healthy diet supports steady energy, better circulation, and a balanced mood, and those absolutely help set the stage. Think of the foods below as a fun, feel-good bonus — not a prescription.

Libido-Friendly Foods

Here are foods commonly considered good for energy, circulation, and mood — and happily, they’re almost all wholesome, everyday ingredients:

• Pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and almonds
• Watermelon, bananas, avocados, and beets
• dark chocolate-covered strawberries (dark chocolate in particular)
• Asparagus, celery, and garlic
• Salmon and other omega-3-rich fish (the original called for halibut)
• Lean beef and other protein for steady energy
• Warming spices and extras: ginger, nutmeg, and ginseng tea

Notice a theme? These are nutrient-dense, whole foods. Our bodies run on what we fuel them with, and that feeds everything — including the parts that matter in the bedroom.

Make Cooking Together the Real Appetizer

Honestly, the sexiest ingredient here is time together. Turn making dinner into the first part of the date: flirt while you chop, brush past each other crossing the kitchen, steal a kiss, then slip away and let the anticipation build. Want to stretch that out? Try our trick to build anticipation all day before date night even begins.

Libido-Friendly Recipe Ideas

Put those ingredients to work with a meal made for two:

• A simple salmon or shrimp stir-fry loaded with asparagus and garlic
• A fresh beet, walnut, and endive salad
• A ginger-spiced quick bread or smoothie
• Honey-orange chicken with a sesame sauce
• Dark chocolate-dipped strawberries for dessert (of course)

More Ways to Turn Up the Heat

• 25 ways to take sexy time to the next level
• steamy bucket list
• Build Anticipation: A 7-Day Romantic Countdown

Libido-Boosting Foods FAQs