There are a lot of decisions that go into a first date. What to wear? Where to go? What to do? But the foods you choose on a first date may also impact how well it goes.
Kristin Kirkpatrick, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic, says on a first date, you should choose chicken every chance you get.
“Protein in chicken increases dopamine and nora-epinephrine. It makes you feel good, it makes you feel relaxed, and it makes you feel alert,” Kirkpatrick says.
Peanut dishes may also trigger the neurotransmitters in our brains that help us to relax, Kirkpatrick says.
She also says to season your meals with red pepper flakes, and not salt. A compound in these spicy, hot specks will help dilate your vessels and get your blood flowing. If things are going especially well, you may want to order some scallops. Kirkpatrick says scallops are packed with zinc, which may benefit sexual function. And when you’re trying to decide what to drink with dinner, Kirkpatrick says if you drink alcohol, a Bloody Mary may be the way to go.
“There was a very large study that looked at carotenoids. Carotenoids are components in red-colored foods, like tomatoes, which you’ll find in a Bloody Mary. And in this particular study, the researchers found that individuals that had a lot of carotenoids were found to be more attractive to the opposite sex. It was because of skin tone and how it made their skin look,” Kirkpatrick says.
Some final words of advice? Kirkpatrick says, when in doubt, choose foods high in complex carbohydrates. She says whole grain breads and pastas can help your energy levels and improve your mood.
