The Foods of Love

Do foods like chocolate and oysters really have any aphrodisiac powers?

Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, might have feasted on a daily banquet of truffles, oysters, and champagne. But scientists tend to think the idea of foods with special “love powers” is about as reality-based as the goddess herself.

“If naturally occurring compounds in certain foods, such as phenylethylamine in chocolate or zinc in oysters, are considered so-called food aphrodisiacs, it’s based on folklore rather than science,” says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Though research in this area is murky, one thing is clear: eating can make a difference when it comes to your health. Here’s how:

Mediterranean Magic
Though eating one particular food may not hold the key to an amorous love life, a healthy diet overall may be beneficial. In fact, says Blatner, “Two recent studies suggest that the Mediterranean diet may help improve sexual health among both men and women with metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions that places people at increased risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.”

A Mediterranean diet means eating plenty of these foods:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Legumes, nuts, and seeds
• Olive oil (instead of other oils)
• Low-fat dairy products
• Fish and poultry (in small amounts)

Balance and Belief
Overall balance may be your very best health strategy. “A balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management is a healthier path than eating any one particular food or ingredient,” says Blatner.

But hang on to that plate of chocolate-covered strawberries! Though science doesn’t support any aphrodisiac effect, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these foods—and maybe more than that. At the very least, you may benefit from the nutritional attributes they provide:

• Chocolate contains antioxidants that may help keep the body’s cells healthy, but the science is still inconclusive. Chocolate also contains phenylethylamine, a component thought to be similar to the chemical our brains release when we are in love,” says Blatner.
• Oysters are high in zinc.
• Asparagus contains many vitamins, including the B vitamin folic acid.
• Bananas are ripe with potassium.
• Figs are high in fiber.
• Strawberries are plump with vitamin C.
• Avocados are full of healthy monounsaturated fat.

Creamy Hot Apple B-Fast with Brown Sugar Crunch

PER SERVING (entire recipe): 189 calories, 3g fat, 385mg sodium, 40g carbs, 3g fiber, 19g sugars, 2g protein -- POINTS® value 3*

Ingredients:
1 cup peeled apple chunks (any sweet, not tart, variety)
1 Nature Valley Maple Brown Sugar Crunchy Granola Bar (half a 2-bar package)
2 no-calorie sweetener packets (like Splenda)
1 1/2 tsp. Jell-O Sugar Free Fat Free Instant pudding mix, Vani lla
1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
dash salt

Directions:
Place sweetener, pudding mix, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt in a microwave-safe medium-large bowl. Add 1/3 cup of cold water, and stir until blended. Place apple chunks in the bowl, and toss them in the liquid mixture. Cover the dish and microwave for 2 1/2 minutes. Allow it to thicken and cool for a few minutes before removing it from the microwave.

Meanwhile, place the granola bar in a sealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin or can, until you have small crumbly pieces. Once apple mixture is cool enough to handle, stir in the granola pieces, and then devour immediately!

MAKES 1 SERVING

I am going to try to make this over the weekend. Looks yummy. And only 3 points

Veggie Fettuccine Alfredo

PER SERVING (entire recipe): 151 calories, 4.5g fat, 407mg sodium, 20g carbs, 7g fiber, 7g sugars, 9g protein -- POINTS® value 3* Ingredients: 1 package House Foods Tofu Shirataki Fettuccine Shaped Noodle Substitute 1/2 cup small broccoli florets 1/2 cup red pepper chunks 1/2 cup large zucchini chunks 1 wedge The Laughing Cow Light Original Swiss cheese 1 tbsp. fat-free sour cream 2 tsp. reduced-fat grated parmesan-style topping salt and pepper, to taste Optional: garlic powder, chili powder Directions: Place all the veggies in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl with 2 tbsp. of water. Cover bowl and microwave for 2 - 3 minutes (until veggies are fully steamed and tender). Drain water and set aside. Drain and rinse noodles well. Dry noodles thoroughly (use paper towels to soak up as much moisture as possible), and then use a knife or kitchen shears to slice them up a bit. Next, place noodles in a microwave-safe bowl, and top them with the cheese wedge, sour cream, and parm topping. Then microwave for one minute. Stir well, and then microwave for one additional minute. Mix in the veggies, and season well with salt and pepper. If you like, add some garlic powder and/or chili powder. Enjoy!! MAKES 1 SERVING I borrowed this from the Hungry Girl Websight. I haven't tried it yet but it looks yummy!!