Valentine’s Day 2012: Aphrodisiacs for your sweeheart
February 9, 2012
Megan Ogilvie
HEALTH REPORTER
For centuries, certain foods have been extolled for their abilities to stir up lust.
It could be for their suggestive shape, whether that of a phallus or a female reproductive organ, or for their unexplained powers to bring on pleasurable feelings of love.
There is very little science to back up most of these claims. So please don’t rush out to buy pints of strawberries in the hope of luring back a straying squeeze. However, foods described as aphrodisiacs likely have the placebo effect in their favour. Much like donning lacy lingerie, just thinking that something will heighten your sex appeal probably will bring out your inner siren.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, The Dish has put together a tapas-like selection of aphrodisiac foods with their nutrition numbers.
On their own, none will do dietary damage. It’s the extras used to spice up the foods that can add unexpected calories and fat.
We aren’t too worried, though. Just think of the fun ways you and your date can burn off excess calories.
OYSTERS
These briny bivalves have long been thought to be lust-enducing. They are high in zinc, which can help boost the production of testosterone, thus revving libido. Their shape — suggestive of female reproductive organs — is also supposed to get men in the mood.
SERVING SIZE 6 medium oysters
CALORIES 57
FAT 2 grams
SODIUM 177 mg
PROTEIN 6 grams
CARBOHYDRATES 3 grams
Slurp the oysters down with 2 teaspoons of hot sauce and you add 254 mg of sodium to your mini mollusc meal.
ASPARAGUS
The phallic shape of an asparagus spear could be enough to get your date thinking of sharing more than dinner. It’s not entirely clear why this veggie is usually listed among the top aphrodisiac foods. Some say it’s due to asparagus’ superior nutrition, which could improve blood flow and keep the heart healthy.
SERVING SIZE 6 spears
CALORIES 20
FAT 0 grams
SODIUM 13 mg
PROTEIN 2 grams
CARBOHYDRATES 4 grams
Gussy up the asparagus with 3 tablespoons of hollandaise sauce and you add 207 calories and 22 grams of fat to the veggies. That’s the fat equivalent of 11 honey dip Timbits.
ARTICHOKES
Ancient Egyptians believed artichokes were a symbol of fertility. The spiky vegetables were thought to enhance sexual prowess and eating them raw by hand was, apparently, erotically enticing.
SERVING SIZE 1 medium
CALORIES 64
FAT 0.5 grams
SODIUM 72 mg
PROTEIN 3.5 grams
CARBOHYDRATES 14 grams
Raw artichoke may have made a romantic meal in the days of Cleopatra. But few of us would dig into a raw artichoke on a date. Creamy artichoke dip is a favourite appetizer. But note that 4 tablespoons of President’s Choice artichoke & Asiago dip has 280 calories, 4 grams of fat and 460 mg of sodium.
STRAWBERRIES
In Ancient Rome, foods shaped like ovaries were believed to be imbued with fertility powers. Strawberries certainly fit the form. The fruit also has a long history in pop culture of being the most romantic of nibbles. Especially when dipped in whipped cream, washed down with champagne and eaten, one-by-one, in bed.
SERVING SIZE 6 berries
CALORIES 36
FAT 0 grams
SODIUM 0 mg
PROTEIN 0.5 grams
CARBOHYDRATES 8 grams
Romance is made with whipped cream and strawberries. But 4 tablespoons of the luscious stuff has 198 calories and 20 grams of fat — that’s more fat than what’s found in a medium order of McDonalds fries.
CHOCOLATE
Some say chocolate is better than sex. That’s up for you to decide. But this richly dense sweet has been shown to release dopamine in the pleasure centre of the brain. This feel-good power can only add fuel to your date.
SERVING SIZE 3 squares of Lindor 60 per cent cacao dark chocolate
CALORIES 105
FAT 8.5 grams
SODIUM 5 mg
PROTEIN 1 grams
CARBOHYDRATES 5.5 grams
Chocolate in squares is undoubtedly good. But chocolate ice cream is much more suited to dessert for starry-eyed lovers. Be judicious; 1 cup of the full-fat frozen treat contains about 400 calories and 26 grams of fat.
RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE
Men/Women
Calories: 2,500/2,000
Fat: 60 to 105 grams/45 to 75 grams
Sodium: 1,500 to 2,300 mg
Carbohydrates: 281-325 grams
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