Put Together the Perfect Pre-Sex Meal

Of course setting the stage for great sex involves the obvious--candles, soft music, low lights, and maybe some rose pedals. But why not also whip up a sensual feast to put you both in the mood for amore? Enjoying a meal that's light, yet slightly exotic and replete with the foods that encourage romance gives both of you the delicious opportunity to share a feast as you anticipate what's to come after dessert. (Or maybe instead of dessert?)

For tips on what's best to prepare, Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist and chief scientific advisor to chemistry.com, Ian Kerner, Ph.D., author of  She Comes First: The Thinking Man's Guide to Pleasuring a Woman, and Terri Orbuch, Ph. D., author of Five Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great weighed in with their advice.

"Eat light," recommends Fisher. "When you are planning a romantic interlude you don't want to feel full and heavy." And, she adds, cook healthy. People who are in good health enjoy sex more than those with health problems, so up your odds of staying fit by making something that's nutritious.

When you cook with heart health in mind, you're cooking for your sex life, too, Kerner says. Choose foods that promote a healthy blood flow and that help circulation--you will have good blood flow in the genital area, too.

10 Foods to Prepare

Ready to hit the kitchen? Take a bite out of these sexy choices next time you and your loved one are planning a pre-sex feast.

1. Steak. "It drives up testosterone levels in the brain, and this is desirable for good sex," Fisher says.

2. Potatoes. "The carbs will drive up the serotonin levels," Fisher says. "And increased serotonin levels are associated with feelings of calmness and security, which can lead to feelings of attachment."

3. Greens. Toss a salad and serve with the main course. Greens are rich in antioxidants, and these can be helpful for sexual arousal, Kerner says.

4. Salmon. It's rich in heart-healthy omega-3 oils, Kerner says. Try it lightly grilled or roasted. And if you're not partial to salmon, substitute with your favorite seafood.

5. Cashews and walnuts. "Both are rich in an amino acid that plays a big role in blood flow," Kerner says. Eat a few handfuls while you're cooking dinner, or chop and sprinkle over a salad or a steamed vegetable.

6. Watermelon. This, too, is considered by some to be an aphrodisiac, Kerner explains. Serve a well chilled watermelon salad, which adds color and flavor to any meal.

7. Oysters. They're sexy to eat and "they make people think about sex," Kerner says.

8. Champagne or wine...but not too much. Alcohol can reduce your inhibitions, but imbibe too much and your senses will be deadened. "Certain wines, like sauvignon blanc, have an aroma that is similar to natural pheromones," Kerner says. 

9. Chocolate. It drives up dopamine levels in the brain and makes people feel sexier. What type of chocolate? "Anything chocolate is romantic," Orbuch says.

10. Something exotic for dessert. Maybe an Indian or Turkish sweet, suggests Fisher. "Exotic experiences drive up the serotonin, and this is what you want to have happen," she says.  

One last suggestion: Set the table so that you and your partner are seated next to each other rather than across from each other. Men aren't comfortable with someone sitting across from them, looking directly at them. "For millions of years, men faced their enemies and sat next to their friends," Fisher says. "So sit next to each other on the couch when you have your meal."