The lovemaking diet

10:19 17 February 2009

It's common knowledge that an unhealthy diet could very well make you fat but what precious few realise is that those calories will also have a detrimental effect on your sexual appetite.

Eight out of 10 of us suffer from a waning libido at some point, whether due to age, stress or general health.

Sex in itself is great for boosting health, confidence and general wellbeing, and thankfully there are a handful of naturally low fat foods that not only keep you fit but also arouse your libido.

Regular meals with the right foods will quash feelings of lethargy but what are they?

Generally you need to swap junk foods and ready meals (high in fat, salt and sugar) with freshly cooked meals with lean meat, wholegrains and plenty of veg.

Small but frequent meals is the way forward and be sure to consume at least six glasses of water per day to flush out your system.

Thankfully there are some quick foods that can boost your mood. Just incorporate these 10 foods into a healthy diet and you'll be sure to see the results.

• Wholegrains - Wholemeal bread, oats and brown rice are rich in B vitamins that boost sexual performance. Their high fibre content improves digestion.
• Celery - This crunchy salad vegetable stimulates the gland in the brain that controls sex hormones, turning you on while keeping up your five a day.
• Dark chocolate - Contains the stimulant phenylethylamine, which is referred to as a "love drug". It quickens the pulse, increasing blood flow to all the vital areas, increasing sexual desire. Ensure you invest in at least 70 per cent cocoa solids.
• Spinach - As an unchallenged source of vitamin B6 and folic acid (essential for the production of sex hormones), spinach is also packed with passion-boosting zinc.
• Berries - Strawberries, blackberries and raspberries are enriched with vitamins C and E that rev up your sex drive and also leave your skin feeling supple and sensitive.
• Avocado The rich levels of vitamin E boost the sex drive along with increased fertility while the high levels of folic acid promote extra energy. Vitamin B6 also balances hormone production.
• Salmon Fantastic as a romantic dinner (if you can handle the smell), tucking into oily fish could intensify orgasms as the omega 3s it contains increase your levels of dopamine - a neurotransmitter vital in stimulating desire.

• Unlock the secrets The 10 best sex manuals revealed.

  Banana This sensual fruit contains the enzyme bromelain that can boost performance in the bedroom. Bananas are also rich in potassium and B-vitamins, vital for sex hormone production.
• Almonds Packed with (the good) fatty acids, almonds maintain a healthy balance of sex hormones. They're also rich in manganese, which help keep your sex organs healthy.
• Pumpkin seeds - Rich in zinc and more of those essential fatty acids, these are the food of choice for the production of sex hormones.

But it isn't all good news. Avoid excessive coffee, ready meals, white bread, sugar and alcohol before bed.