When Jessica Puljan went home the summer after senior year to see her long-distance boyfriend of two years, the last thing on her mind was sex. Although the two had not seen each other for months, that year Puljan, Wheaton, Illinois, senior, gained 15 pounds while at KU. During their two years of dating, Puljan had never had trouble getting turned on, but this summer was different.

“He wasn’t there when I stuffed my face that year. I looked terrible compared to the last time I saw him and the last thing I wanted to do was get on top of him,” Puljan says.

According to a 2006 USA Today poll, 25 percent of men and 40 percent of women reported having little or no sex drive. But what if the ingredients to a greater sex life are at your nearest grocery store?

Consuming certain foods can help to not only improve your overall health but also to get that mojo going again. A couple of months after Puljan decided to change her eating habits, she noticed her sex drive skyrocket. “I think greasy food taints the sex drive. I would feel bloated and terrible and it would drag me down,” Puljan says. “When I started eating healthy I actually believed my boyfriend when he told me I was sexy.”

“From a psychological stand point, being healthy is the most important thing. People who do not take care of their bodies tend to have a lower sex drive,” says Susan Carlson, professor of dietetics and nutrition. “If you are taking care of your body, you are feeling good about yourself, making you more open to having sexual experiences.”

However, self-confidence is not the only benefit of eating well. Certain nutrients can help your sex life as well. “Many ingredients that are key to our overall health also help you to function better sexually,” says Linda De Villers, sex therapist in Los Angeles. “When you aren’t getting your nutrients, not only are you going to have poor health, you’re going to have a limp dick. People really underestimate health and its effect on sex drive.”

Chocolate may seem like the most cliché aphrodisiac, but it does do some good for our bodies when it comes to the bedroom. A study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that those who consumed at least one ounce of chocolate daily reported significantly greater desire and better overall sexual function than those who did not consume chocolate at all. Chocolate is known to increase circulation within the body which improves overall sexual sensitivity and function.

“While some people may think the whole chocolate thing is a myth, it is actually the No. 1 aphrodisiacal food,” De Villers says. “The more blood flow in your body, the more sensation you will have down below.”

Other circulation-enhancing dishes have the ability to increase sexual pleasure as well. Theresa Rose, psychoanalyst in Shawnee, says the omega-3 in salmon can have a positive effect on your sex life. “Increased circulation and the nutrients in omega-3 are going to make you function better sexually.”

A lesser known pleasure enhancer is arginine—an amino acid that creates nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is released from the lining of the genitals when you become aroused and it causes the blood vessels to expand. Without enough nitric oxide, men are unable to get an erection. Arginine is found in foods such as oatmeal, nuts, wheat germ, milk and yogurt.

“I really noticed that greasy foods tainted my sex drive because I felt terrible, but anytime I eat fruits, veggies, yogurts and low-calorie dairies it makes me feel good and makes it happen in the bedroom,” Puljan says.

Though research is not definitive on the amino acid arginine, De Villers says adding it to your diet cannot hurt. “It makes sense. Nitric Oxide is the stuff of Viagra,” De Villers says. “If you can increase your supply of Nitric Oxide it should help you to get an erection.”

The other major ingredients to a strong sex life are antioxidants. Found in most fruits and vegetables, antioxidants help to keep your arteries clean, and not surprisingly, your blood flowing. “Is a whole bottle going to make you horny?” says Pat Kaufman, licensed sex therapist. “No. But by including lots of antioxidant-rich foods into your diet you will feel better inside and out, therefore improving your sex-drive.” Blueberries, cranberries and artichokes are some of the most antioxidant-rich foods, according to the USDA.

The experts say there is no miracle drug but eating a well-balanced diet full of fish, fruits and vegetables can help your desire to have sex and also your ability to achieve full satisfaction.

“When I eat like shit the last thing I want to do is get naked,” says Rob Dillenback, Plano senior. “A pizza equals a nap, something less filling and healthier makes me ready for some sex.”

De Villers agrees and says it’s all about health. “Sure these foods can help but eating five salmon in one day isn’t going to help you. Balance and moderation are the real recipe.”