Which foods can fuel the romance?
Romance between people is a matter of chemistry. So is food. His sleepy feeling after Thanksgiving dinner owes itself as much to the tryptophan in the turkey as it does to your hard work.
Studies suggest that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish may impact mood. Even the act of cooking itself has been shown to increase feel-good endorphin levels.
Here are some foods thought to kindle the emotions. Do they work? Try them and see!
• Chocolate is a food with a certifiable aphrodisiac effect. Not only is the taste pleasurable, but cocoa contains phenylethylamine, a naturally occurring brain chemical that makes humans feel the euphoria associated with love. Whip up some dreamy Chocolate Lava Cakes, made with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread, and appeal to his sweet tooth as well as his heart.
• Carbohydrates stimulate serotonin levels, the brain’s way of relaxing you. So bread and pasta are indeed friends of romance. To test this theory, try Bertolli Creamy Fettucine Primavera, made with Bertolli® Classico Olive Oil and Bertolli® Alfredo Sauce.
• The capsaicin in hot peppers is thought to increase drive, so the men of many warm-climate cultures will attest. If you want to spice things up, tempt him with a sizzling meal, like Chile Ancho-Braised Chicken & Pasta, made with Ragù® Old World Style® Traditional Pasta Sauce. Vanilla acts upon the central nervous system—its fragrance can have a powerful effect. Thyme, oregano and nutmeg are also thought to put men in a romantic mood.