According to the research conducted by Disruptive Enterprises, “one in four Americans don’t have enough energy to have sex.”
Ouch. I have to say that’s a bit of a bummer to type out and even more of a bummer to realize that I, too, may be a victim of a sluggish libido due to my sometimes, carb-heavy diet. Yes, carbs are a main source of energy for your body but according to the study, those carbs can also work against your energy levels if you’re consuming. Think less of, white bread, pastries, sodas, and refined foods and more whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans. As I write this, I’m crunching on naan with a side of hummus and rethinking what enters my gaping hole of a mouth (and effects my, er, other “hole”.) Someone, for the sake of my love life, pass me the pineapple.
Molly Devine RD LDN, the registered dietitian and advisor at Ketologic explains that a Keto diet is “high in fat, moderate in protein, and very low in carbohydrates.” She goes on to explain that, “without a steady intake of dietary carbohydrates, the body enters a state of nutritional ketosis in which it utilizes ketones rather than glucose as its primary fuel source.” This metabolic state results in increased energy, focus, hormonal balance, weight loss, and yes, sex drive. If you’re eating a lot of carbs, you may find high and low levels of energy since carbohydrates create huge dips and fluctuations of blood sugar levels. If you’re experiencing a low sex drive, take a peek at what you’re ingesting throughout the day. For a keto diet, protein should be a staple.
- chicken, beef, salmon, eggs, and dairy protein promote testosterone levels.
- avocados, nuts, butter/oil are great fats that also improve testosterone.
Of course, remember, this is all in moderation. Finding a happy medium in moderation is the best way to balance out a keto diet.
By including a normal exercise routine, you can furthermore increase your appetite for sex.
When you eat a high sugar diet, or a diet with refined carbs, your body shuts off the proper levels of testosterone and estrogen. The liver turns the overload of sugar into fat, which results in turning of the sex hormone binding globulin gene.
Furthermore, a low-carb diet can induce stress responses in the body. And nobody’s in the mood when they are stressed out.
So, is a low-carb diet the answer to a low libido? In short, it might be. Not only does this diet balance sex hormones, it also improves insulin and cortisol (your stress hormone).
Devine says that “By following a ketogenic diet with a focus on calorie moderation, you own body fat stores become the primary source of every day fuel, which leads to weight loss and improvements in body composition. Not only does this help testosterone levels, but feel better in your skin helps to drive a sexual desire.” Since low levels of testosterone can influence sex drive in a negative way, body fat can help improve this issue. Devine goes on to say that “eating a diet lower in carbs and higher in healthy fats and proteins will help stabilize hormonal fluctuations, while the natural increase in energy promotes a more active sex life.”
Not sure where to start? The Harvard School of Pubic Health has you covered. They advise that everyone begin their day with whole grains, choose fruit over juice, and stick to beans. Take a look at their Healthy Eating Plate to see how you should exactly fill up your plate for a nutritional balance.
While I don’t expect any of you to be the next Kourtney Kardashian or Mick Jagger, you may find a correlation to your diet and your excitement of jumping into the bed (and not just to sleep.)
comments