Life
If you have a hot date tonight, you're likely thinking about where you're going to go, what you're going to wear, and what you're going to talk about. But if you plan to hit the sheets afterwards, you also might want to pay attention to what foods to avoid before having sex. Eat the wrong meal, and you could end up in some embarrassing moments, not to mention you could feel fatigued and not exactly in the mood to get it on. You'll want your body to feel in tip-top shape and full of energy, right?
"When you are going to be up close and personal, there are a few foods to avoid to keep your loving experience fun and fresh," says Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN over email. Certain foods contain ingredients that could make you gassy, cause some stomach discomfort, and even kill your libido, and knowing what foods can make the night less than ideal can help you make the best choices for your meals.
Everyone's body reacts differently, so of course you have to figure out what works best for yourself, but it's good to know what has the potential to make you feel a little out of whack. Here are ten foods to avoid eating before having sex.
1
Beans
You might want to rethink that chili or nachos. "Beans are known as the 'musical fruit' because of their oligosaccharides, which we cannot digest in the stomach and small intestines," says Pincus. "If you are prone to gassiness, this might be a great one to save for later."
2
Onions
Although they're a tasty and healthy food, onions can cause some unwanted bad breath. That's because smelly sulfur compounds found in onions linger in your mouth and become absorbed in your bloodstream, according to WebMD. If you're worried about bad breath, you might want to avoid onions for any meals prior to sex.
3
Garlic
"There are those times when you can't stand to be with yourself, let alone another person after consuming a very garlicky meal," says Pincus. "Keep it bland before sex to keep you minty fresh." In addition to bad breath, garlic can also cause stomach aches, as some people are sensitive to fructants, a compound found in the food, according to Livestrong.
4
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage are all great, healthy choices, but like beans, they are very likely to cause some gas and bloating. "They not only cause more gas, but stinky gas thanks to the sulfur," says Pincus.
5
Coffee
Sure, coffee is great for increased energy, but it also messes with your blood sugar levels, which could end up messing with your adrenal glands, according to Prevention. This could a cause disruption in your cortisol and DHEA levels, which in turn could affect your testosterone, resulting in a drop of sexual desire and response. Additionally, coffee could cause an upset stomach, according to WebMD.
6
Hummus
Hummus is a tasty snack, but it could lead to some uncomfortable situations once you're between the sheets. "It's a double whammy due to the garlic and garbanzo beans," says Pincus. "Bad breath and tummy grumbles? No thanks."
7
Sugar-Free Candy
Sugar-free candies might seem like they're healthier for you, but they contain sorbitol, a sugar substitute that can leave you feeling icky. "Many people experience unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects after consuming too much sorbitol, which is easy to do when you are enjoying something sweet, especially when you perceive it as guiltless because of the lack of sugar," says Pincus.
8
Red Meat
Eating red meat before getting in bed with someone could unfortunately lead to some foul-smelling gas. Meats such as pork and beef contain methionine, an amino acid with sulfur that can leave you with a "rotten egg" scented fart, according to Thrillist.
9
Soda Water
No one likes to feel bloated when they've got a night out planned, and unfortunately, soda water can cause just that. Drinking carbonated water can lead to a buildup of air in the stomach, which could leave you with uncontrollable belching, bloating, and abdominal discomfort, according to Livestrong.
10
French Fries
It's hard to resist a good plate of french fries, but if you're about to do the deed, you're going to want to try your best. French fries are high in sodium, which could lead to some uncomfortable bloating. They're also high on the glycemic index and are difficult to digest, which could leave you feeling tired and low on energy, according to Livestrong.
