Want to set the mood for a romantic evening? Start by paying close attention to your meal.  While foods like oysters, chocolate, and champagne have become synonymous with passion, there are other Mindful aphrodisiacs to consider.

Foods, drinks, and scents that increase sexual desire or libido are considered aphrodisiacs. Aphrodisiacs work two ways, either creating desire within our minds or by affecting parts of our bodies. Though the term aphrodisiac comes from the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, the concept of passion foods can be found in numerous ancient civilizations like the Aztecs, Egyptians, Romans, and Chinese.

In the past, many foods were thought to improve sexual powers because of their resemblance to certain body parts (like bananas) or were meats from virile animals (like rabbits, bulls, etc.). While most of these ancient aphrodisiacs are myths, there are some healthy foods that are still considered aids of passion.

Planning a romantic evening?

Here are 5 Mindful Eating Everyday aphrodisiac foods to consider:

1. Fertile fruit: Watermelon. This juicy fruit makes a great start to any meal from salsa appetizers to salad toppings to sweet martinis. Watermelon, a frequently overlooked aphrodisiac, contains the phytonutrient citrulline, which causes “blood vessels to relax and speeds up circulation.”
2. Special spices: Saffron. For a romantic meal be sure to add the right spices. Saffron can be expensive, but has great health benefits. According to a study printed in the Food Research International journal, researchers found that saffron can increase sexual performance. Saffron lifts a person’s mood and increases blood flow.
3. Potent protein: Salmon. For your main course consider the delicious and healthy fish, salmon. It’s high in omega fatty acids, which increases a person’s libido by keeping their hormones at peak levels.
4. Vital vegetables: Asparagus. If you’re in the need of a tasty vegetable for your romantic dinner consider asparagus. This veggie has a high content of essential nutrients like potassium, thiamine, and vitamins A, B, C, and E. It also increases your levels of histamine, which increases the sexual drive in men and women.
5. Something sweet: Honey. It not only makes a sweet addition to any dessert it can also increase sexual desire. Honey is rich in two essential minerals, vitamin B, and Boron. Vitamin B is said to help boost testosterone production and boron is thought to help a body metabolize and use estrogen.