Don't you just love visual euphimisms? Not. (Photo credz to PLP)
We eat for a variety of reasons –- to escape from boredom, to celebrate, to coddle hurt feelings, and for energy.
Most of my dietary choices are based on flavor, but I also like to eat things that I know are good for me. I think it's fun to know how what I am eating will affect my organs -- and what is your vagina if not the best organ ever?You can eat for optimal lubrication, to reduce cramps, and to ward off UTIs. You can even eat for better sex -- or at least more frequent sex.
So below are eight foods you should be eating to keep your vagina happy, healthy, and ready to go.
Sweet Potatoes. These little gems are full of vitamin A, which keeps our vaginal and uterine walls healthy (how sexy does that sound?). Vitamin A also helps generate sex hormones, so these root veggies keep our girly bits both healthy and energetic.
Cranberries. If you've ever had a UTI, then you've probably made a midnight dash to the corner store for cranberry juice. UTIs occur when bad bacteria issues a hostile takeover of your vagina, like a coup, or a ship full of angry pirates. Unfortunately, store-bought cranberry juice is typically all sugar, which will only feed the bacteria and further irritate a UTI. Straight cranberries, on the other hand, are full of acidic compounds that ward off the nasty little buggers.
How can you enjoy cranberries without the sugar overload? Simmer fresh berries in a little OJ for a tart but tasty treat.Dark leafy greens. Feeling a little dry down there? Dark leafy greens are naturally blood-purifying, which means they enhance circulation, which in turn speeds up stimulation. Swiss chard, spinach, kale, collards -- the darker the leaf, the better.
This is how I feel about vaginal dryness. (Photo credz to PLP)
Soy. I know soy gets a bad name, but it’s actually full of phytoestrogens (a synthetic form of estrogens) that keep our vaginas well-lubricated. And we all like our vaginas well-lubricated. Aim for organic, unprocessed soy, like edamame.
Flaxseed. Flaxseed -- ground or whole -- contains phytoestrogens (just like soy), as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Both of these boost our estrogen levels and battle dryness.
Kimchi, miso, and other fermented foods. What do a vagina and a swimming pool have in common? Other than a very specific pH level, nothing at all. To maintain your pH level, munch on fermented goodies like kimchi, sauerkraut and miso. These are full of probiotics which balance our pH level and ward off yeast infections and UTIs.
Avocados. The healthy fats in avocados support healthy vaginal walls, and the B6 and potassium levels found in the fruit are thought to boost our libidos. Spanish priests banned their parishioners from consuming them, and the Aztecs named the avocado tree the “testicle tree,” although this is most likely due to the fact that they grow in pairs. Nothing I like more than food named after balls.
Zinc. People are always talking about how oysters are an aphrodisiac, which I find hard to believe, as they're slimy and cold and terrifying. In actuality, oysters are only thought to be a libido-booster because they're high in zinc. Zinc also helps combat dryness, itching, and regulates the menstrual cycle. If you want a zinc boost, try munching almonds or pumpkin seeds, which don't require slurping out of a half shell.
Zoe can be found eating for her vagina on Instagram, Twitter and on SexyTofu.com. And now, for a shameless plug: For more fun food and sex talk, check out Zoe's book, The Lusty Vegan, available for pre-sale on Amazon.
