Poznan - My Other City Is My Home

Food, food and food!

Just like the seven blind men called on to touch an elephant and give an account of what they thought they had just touched, studying in Poznan meant a lot different things to the many international students here. To every Rahul, Adebola, Vanessa, Feng or Mohamed though, it all meant one thing: Awe-inspiring. If you're already planning a trip to Poland, having a discernment of Polish hospitality is of considerable importance to you. This is something you really can't find in any guide book, it's to be experienced first-hand and you could probably make do with some of the rules I garnered from my own experience. The first rule: Make sure you go on an empty stomach! You don't necessarily need to have a cast iron stomach but make sure it's empty when you're honoring an invitation to dine with a Polish family. Gracing my first invitation to a proper, traditional Polish cook-out taught me all I needed to know. Luckily for me, I'd left my apartment without having a proper food so that by the time I arrived, my stomach was grumbling loudly. What I saw on the dining table though, was everything but the kitchen sink. Even my grumbling guts miraculously calmed down as we all settled down to chow down the food. By the time the last piece of food had been gobbled, I was ready to roll back to my apartment. I was filled to the brim yet my hosts still insisted I had more food. What!!

Simply appetizing!

Second rule: Wear your heart on your sleeve. When you sit at the feast table with your Polish hosts, feel free and smile. Don't hold anything back but be tactful. One unguarded statement could ruin the fun. Make sure not to reject any food offered, and if you have to say no, say it with your laundry-soap commercial smile. On the table were lots of dishes I'd never tasted. The Polish kielbasa (sausages) looked different from the everyday sausages I was used to likewise the "chrzan" (horseradish). I couldn't reject trying them all out. My task was how to eat them without grimacing and making my hosts feel bad. I looked at the patron of the house who had been around the world and whom I'd been discussing politics with and tried a very old trick. "Sir, the kielbasa looks really different. Is it usually made from veal" I asked. He was eager to proudly tell me what the sausage was made from and thus my trick worked. My plan was to be in the middle of a discourse while I tried out the kielbasa. I'd already put on my poker face and now if the kielbasa tasted really strange, I could grimace without basically betraying any expression on my face. As the patron of the house lectured me about kielbasa, I quickly tried it, found out it wasn't bad at all, saw it off with a gulp of tea and gave my Redford smile again.

Third rule: Don't fail to praise the culinary skills of the cook (who's usually the matron of the family). Well, apart from getting a taste of Polish hospitality, be ready to experience some kind of "old-school love". The old man wouldn't stop telling everyone who sat at the table how his wife bakes the best cake or cooks the best soup in town. I had to take a cue from that. I looked at his wife and told her how much I admired her cooking and how well it tasted.

Fourth rule: Keep a conversation going and bring your table manners along: Don't shuffle your feet, belch loudly or make your phone the center of your attention. Converse lightly about general topics. I muted my phone and buried myself deep in the rituals of chowing down the food. Lighthearted conversations went on while we all dined. Also, remember to keep your guffawing till after the meal. You don't want to expose the spinach that just got stuck in your teeth to your host. Remember, wear your heart at your sleeve but be tactful!

Fifth rule: At the end of the meal, smile, smile and smile. You can tell your hosts how much you've enjoyed the meal even if your tummy is starting to make funny sounds. Don't be an ungrateful guest and brag about how you're not used to eating traditional stuff. Poles like their traditional food and won't take it lightly to it being berated. Another wonderful time to have a taste of Polish hospitality at the dining table is at Christmas. Get ready to be treated to a twelve-dish Christmas eve banquet. Christmas is just a couple of months away and ain't we all looking forward to that again?

To be sure I wasn't hallucinating about my experience in Poznan as an international student, I ventured to ask  other students to examine in contrast how their adventure had been so far and below are the excerpts.

A view of the Malta lake

Me: So, Amy, how's it been like?
Amy: Well, there have been ups and downs and some tribulations at the beginning when I was adjusting but overall, it's been pretty good.
Me: How was it like adjusting here when you first arrived? 
Amy: It's been more of an anticipation scare than reality. I'd never been to Poland before I came here as a student so I was suffering from too much anxiety after reading all the different things on the Internet.
Me: So, do you have a different opinion about Poland and Poznan after you adjusted as a student?
Amy: By all means. I was proven wrong about everything and the good thing was that it turned out to be much better than I expected.
Me: Describe Poznan in three words.
Amy: Culture, motion and spirit.
Me: Thanks Amy!
Amy: Anytime!

That was an account. Let's see what some other person thinks. This time, a guy.

Me: Hey pal! How's it been like studying here as an International Student?
Raj: It's been an experience. Although I wouldn't call it a piece of cake, it's been challenging and interesting so far.
Me: What are the challenges?
Raj: The main challenges for me was the Polish language and the weather. Good thing though is that most locals speak English and I'm fast adapting to the weather. I can't say I miss the food because there's an Indian restaurant downtown.
Me: In your own opinion, what sets this city straight for International Students?
Raj: This city is full of young people from all over the world. It's dynamic, modern and at the same time has a flavor of old European traditions.
Me: Describe Poznan in three words.
Raj: Drive, students, beauty.
Me: Thanks Raj!
Raj: You're welcome!

The bouncing bridge

So like Amy and Raj, Poznan means different things to all of us. The most important thing though, is that we have all come to love this city that presents many life-time opportunities to its teeming student population. And as we all come and go, holding close to our hearts the experience of studying in Poznan, we say from the bottom of our hearts, Venimus, Vidimus, Vincemus - We came, We saw, We will conquer.

Diet for your brain (recipes included!)

If you are preparing for the bar exam your diet is probably the last thing on your mind. Does it really matter that you had that pastry for breakfast? What if I told you that adding these 12 foods to your diet would improve your memory, increase your concentration, raise your mental energy level, and make you sleep better at night?

Just like a race car running on high, during times of stress your mind and body need good quality fuel to run well. But it’s during high times of stress that we tend to eat the worst. We don’t think we have time to eat healthy. We desperately need that soda to stay awake and definitely deserve that breakfast muffin. I remember being addicted to the Pete’s carrot ginger muffins when I was studying for the bar.

I’m not saying you can’t treat yourself or that you need to drastically change your eating habits. This is not the time to go on a diet, quit smoking or try to get off coffee. But if you simply add these 12 foods to your diet, you will be giving your brain real fuel, which can be a game changer in times of stress. I have also included a few of my favorite easy recipes below.

Top 12 Brain Foods

1. Water

Drink more water. 85% of your brain tissue is water. When you are dehydrated your brain shrinks and doesn’t function as well. You should be drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. If you get headaches, it’s probably because you are not drinking enough water.

2. Green Tea

You may like coffee in the morning or diet coke in the afternoon, but if you’re willing to change it up occasionally, try green tea. It improves your focus and fights mental fatigue. It also includes antioxidants that enhance your memory.

3. Green Leafy Vegetables

Green vegetables are also Study Super Foods. The vitamins in broccoli help convert tryptophan into serotonin, your good mood brain chemical, and the large amounts of vitamin K in broccoli enhance cognitive function and improve brainpower. Try adding green veggies like spinach, broccoli and brussels sprouts to your diet. The easiest way to add green veggies is simply to add a salad to your lunch and dinner.

4. Avocados

Avocados are a “Super Study Food.” They contain good fats, which contribute to healthy blood flow to your brain and support proper brain function. I recommend adding 1/4 to 1/2 of an avocado to one meal daily as a side dish. Adding avocados to your eggs creates the perfect pre-study breakfast.

5. Fruits

Instead of grabbing those potato chips, grab an apple, banana or orange. It will give you antioxidants that boost your brain and body function. A great mid-day snack is bananas or apples with almond butter. You can get almond butter from most grocery stores or health food stores.

6. Oatmeal Topped with Yogurt and Blueberries

This is a great brain breakfast combo. Blueberries are possibly the best brain food on earth because they strengthen your neuron signals, which improves your brain function. They are also high in fiber and low on the glycemic index, so they won’t spike your blood sugar like that muffin or scone. Oatmeal and other whole grains boost blood flow to the brain and stick with you, keeping you full until lunch. And an amino acid in yogurt helps improve your mental alertness and memory.

7. Nuts and Seeds

Both nuts and seeds boost your brain power and improve your mood. Nuts like almonds, cashews or walnuts contain protein, fiber, and beneficial fats. Snack on nuts to clear up that mid-morning brain fog. Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are particularly good because they contain tryptophan, the amino acid the brain converts to serotonin. So these little seeds can also improve your mood and help you sleep. I love sunflower seeds in the shells because I have to work at them. It gives me something to do when I study to keep me awake. And ladies, because pumpkin seeds also contain lots of zinc, they have been shown to increase your libido – just something to keep in mind.

8. Eggs

Eggs contain high-quality proteins, vitamins and nutrients. One nutrient in eggs even boosts the memory center of your brain.

9. Fish

Fish is a good mood food. Salmon and tuna contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve memory, and reduce anxiety and hyperactivity.

10. Brown Rice and Beans or Lentils

Beans and lentils are rich in quality protein, so they will fill you up, while also help stabilizing your blood sugar levels and energizing your brain. Brown rice contains the perfect mix of carbohydrates and fiber to fuel your brain while keeping you full.

11. Popcorn

Fat free popcorn is a whole grain. So snacking on popcorn (not the buttery or sugary kind) can help boost blood flow to the brain.

12. Chocolate

Yes, chocolate does actually make you happier. Dark chocolate, in moderation, enhances your focus and concentration. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and contains several natural stimulants, which increase the production of endorphins.

Balancing Meals

For best brain results balance good carbohydrates with proteins. Your brain actually needs carbohydrates for fuel. But try to avoid any meals that are purely carbohydrates. A high carbohydrate meal will make you feel sleepy and sluggish later. And remember that carbs like candy, chips, white bread, pastries and pasta give quick energy, but don’t go the long haul. Healthy carbs like whole grains, fruits, veggies, and lentils provide longer lasting fuel for the brain.

I have included a few easy recipes below. If you have foods that you like to eat when you study, share them here.

Want more tips to improve your brain function? Lauren Firestein is the founder of the Mind Over Bar Course, an innovative course that focuses only on the mental challenges of the bar exam. The course teaches in-the-moment practices you can use study faster and easier and rock the bar exam.

Scrambled Eggs with Avocado
2-3 Eggs
½ Avocado, chopped into small cubes
Cheddar cheese
Canned Mexican flavored tomatoes (Rotel is my favorite brand.)
Chili powder
Cumin
Cilantro

As you scramble the eggs in a pan, add the chili powder and cumin. Once the eggs are almost done, add the canned tomatoes and cheddar cheese. At the end, fold in the fresh avocado and cilantro. Top with your favorite salsa.

For another variation: Replace cheddar with goat cheese, Mexican flavored canned tomatoes with fresh tomatoes, and chili powder, cumin and cilantro with fresh basil.

Tasty Brown Rice and Beans
Cooked brown rice
Your favorite type of canned beans – garbanzo, white cannelli, soy, lentils, black, etc.
Canned tomatoes of any flavor (Mexican flavored, Italian flavored, etc.)
Juice of one lemon

Combine all ingredients, microwave and enjoy.

Easy Lunch Tostada
2 corn tortillas
1 Zucchini, cut into small cubes
1 Squash, cut into small cubes
5-6 fresh cherry tomatoes, chopped (or canned tomatoes)
Olive oil
Mexi corn (canned or frozen)
1 can black beans
Salsa
Chili powder
Cumin

Preheat your oven to 400°. Put foil on a cookie sheet, drizzle a little olive oil on the foil and very lightly coat the tortillas with the oil. Bake them for 7-10 minutes, checking often as the burn quickly.

In a large pan, cook the zucchini and squash in a little olive oil for 3-4 minutes. Season with chili powder and cumin to taste. Once they are almost done, add the cherry tomatoes, mexi-corn, black beans, and 2 tablespoons salsa. Cook until everything is warm. Spoon mixture on cooked crisp tortillas.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts
1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts
3 tablespoons good olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut off the brown ends of the Brussels sprouts and pull off any yellow outer leaves. Cut them in half. Mix them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Pour them on a cookie sheet and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Shake the pan from time to time to brown the sprouts evenly. Sprinkle with more kosher salt ( I like these salty like French fries), and serve immediately.

Yummy Green Salad
Baby spinach leaves
¼ cup Broccoli, chopped
¼ Cucumber, sliced
1 carrot, sliced (or use shredded carrots)
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
¼ cup sliced almonds
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
Balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing to taste

20 Foods That Make You Smarter (a must read for students and Professionals)

Here are some healthy, environmentally friendly ways to kick-start your brain..
On a deadline? Need to rally? Avoid the soda, vending machine snacks and tempting Starbucks and go for these powerful brain boosters instead. The path to a bigger, better brain is loaded with Omega-3 fats , antioxidants, and fiber. Give your brain a kick start: eat the following foods on a daily or weekly basis for results you will notice.
20 foods that will supercharge your brain:
1. Avocado
Start each day with a mix of high-quality protein and beneficial fats to build the foundation for an energized day. Avocado with scrambled eggs provides both, and the monounsaturated fat helps blood circulate better, which is essential for optimal brain function. Worst alternative: a trans-fat-filled, sugar-laden cream cheese Danish.

2. Blueberries
These delicious berries are one of the best foods for you, period, but they’re very good for your brain as well. Since they’re high in fiber and low on the glycemic index, they are safe for diabetics and they do not spike blood sugar. Blueberries are possibly the best brain food on earth: they have been linked to reduced risk for Alzheimer’s, shown to improve learning ability and motor skills in rats, and they are one of the most powerful anti-stress foods you can eat. Avoid: dried, sweetened blueberries.
Green it: buy local and organic, and be mindful of seasonality. When blueberries are out of season, opt for cranberries, grapes, goji berries, blackberries or cherries to get your brain boost.

3. Wild Salmon
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for your brain . These beneficial fats are linked to improved cognition and alertness, reduced risk of degenerative mental disease (such as dementia), improved memory, improved mood, and reduced depression, anxiety and hyperactivity. Wild salmon is a premium source, but we’ll highlight a few other sources on this list for vegetarians and people who just don’t like salmon. Avoid farmed (read: sea lice infested) salmon.

4. Nuts

Nuts contain protein, high amounts of fiber, and they are rich in beneficial fats . For getting an immediate energy boost that won’t turn into a spike later, you can’t do better than nuts. The complex carbs will perk you up while the fat and protein will sustain you. Nuts also contain plenty of vitamin E, which is essential to cognitive function. You don’t have to eat raw, plain, unsalted nuts, but do avoid the ones with a lot of sweetening or seasoning blends. Filberts, hazelnuts, cashews, and walnuts are great choices, with almonds being the king of nuts.
For those avoiding carbs, macadamia nuts are much higher in fat than most nuts. By the way, peanuts just aren’t ideal. Aside from the fact that many people are allergic, peanuts have less healthy fat than many other types of nuts…maybe that’s because peanuts are not actually a nut! They’re still much better than a candy bar, however.


5. Seeds

Try sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seed, and tahini (a tangy, nutty sesame butter that tastes great in replacement of mayo and salad dressing). Seeds contain a lot of protein, beneficial fat, and vitamin E, as well as stress-fighting antioxidants and important brain-boosting minerals like magnesium.


6. Coffee
Thine eyes do not deceive (even if you are in the midst of a sugar crash). Coffee is good for your brain . Did you know coffee actually contains fiber? That’s going to help your cardiovascular system. Coffee also exerts some noted benefit to your brain in addition to providing you with a detectable energy boost.
The trick is not to have more than a few cups. But you can safely enjoy 2-4 cups daily – we are talking about supercharging here. Just please don’t go ruining a good thing by loading it up with sugar! Espresso beans are actually a phenomenally healthy snack, by the way.



7. Oatmeal
Nature’s scrub brush is one of the best foods for cardiovascular health, which translates to brain health. Additionally, oatmeal is packed with fiber, a reasonable amount of protein, and even a small amount of Omega-3’s. It’s a good grain that will sustain you throughout the morning so you aren’t prone to irritability or an energy crash.



8. Beans

One more for carb-lovers. (The brain uses about 20% of your carbohydrate intake and it likes a consistent supply.) Beans are truly an amazing food that is sadly overlooked. They’re humble, but very smart. Not only are they loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals and protein, they’re ridiculously cheap. An entire bag of beans usually costs only a few dollars and will provide many meals. Beans provide a steady, slow release of glucose to your brain – which means energy all day without the sugar crash. Don’t go eating a whole platter of frijoles, though – just 1/4 of a cup is fine.


9. Pomegranate
Opt for the fruit over the juice so you get more fiber. Pomegranates contain blueberry-like levels of antioxidants, which are essential for a healthy brain . Your brain is the first organ to feel the effects of stress, so anything you can do to offset stress is a smart choice.





10. Brown Rice
Brown rice is a low-glycemic complex carbohydrate that is excellent for people sensitive to gluten who still want to maintain cardiovascular health. The better your circulation, the sharper your brain .

11. Tea
You have to brew tea fresh or you won’t get the benefits of all those catechines (antioxidants) that boost your brain . Because tea has caffeine, don’t have more than 2-3 cups daily.
Green it: buy organic, fair trade loose leaf or packets to support sustainable business practices.


12. Chocolate

Things are looking increasingly better for chocolate. It’s got brain-boosting compounds, it’s loaded with antioxidants, and it has just the right amount of caffeine. Chocolate sends your serotonin through the roof, so you’ll feel happy in short order. Dark chocolate is also rich in fiber. (Remember, fiber = healthy cardiovascular system = healthy brain .)
Green it: go for super dark, fair-trade, pure organic chocolate, not the sugary, processed milk chocolate candy bars.

13. Oysters
Oysters are rich in selenium, magnesium, protein and several other nutrients vital to brain health. In one study researchers found that men who ate oysters reported significantly improved cognition and mood! Not all shellfish are good for you but oysters are a sure bet.
Green it: oysters are actually one of the most eco-friendly seafood options, so eat up!


14. Olive Oil

Though we know the brain does need a small, steady supply of glucose, don’t overlook fat. Studies have consistently shown that a low-fat diet is not the health boon we hoped it would be (remember the 90s low-fat craze?). In fact, avoiding fat can increase foggy thinking, mood swings, and insomnia. A diet rich in healthy fats is essential to clear thinking, good memory, and a balanced mood. Your brain is made of fat, after all.
One study of men found that those who relied on the processed vegetable fats found in salad dressings, snacks and prepared foods had 75% higher rates of mental degradation (dementia, memory loss) than men who ate healthy fats. Most processed foods and fast foods use corn oil, palm oil, soybean oil and other Omega-6 fats. You don’t want Omega 6 fats. Even saturated fat is safer than Omega 6’s.
Choose healthy fats such as those present in olive oil, nut butters, nuts and seeds, flax, oily fish, and avocados. Avoid processed fats found in pastries, chips, candy bars, snacks, junk food, fried foods and prepared foods. Eating the wrong fat can literally alter your brain’s communication pathways .
Green it: look for organic, local, or farmers’ market options when it comes to your food. You should also explore herbal remedies for mood swings and brain health.

15. Tuna
In addition to being another rich source of Omega-3’s, tuna, particularly yellowfin, has the highest level of vitamin B6 of any food. Studies have shown that B6 is directly linked to memory, cognition and long term brain health. Generally, the B vitamins are among the most important for balancing your mood. B6 in particular influences dopamine receptors (dopamine is one of your "feel good" hormones along with serotonin).
My personal cocktail: SAMe (nature’s happiness molecule) and a mega-dose of B-complex keeps me humming even when I’ve got a mountain of work to do. Which, like you, is all the time.
Green it: only eat tuna from sustainable fisheries, and if you’re looking for a B6 source that is vegetarian, opt for a banana, which contains a third of your day’s requirement (tuna offers nearly 60%).

16. Garlic

Garlic – the fresher the better – is one of the most potent nutritional weapons in your arsenal. Eat it as much as your significant other can stand. Not only is it fabulous for reducing bad cholesterol and strengthening your cardiovascular system, it exerts a protective antioxidant effect on the brain.
Avoid: I know it makes life easier, but don’t even think about buying the chopped or peeled garlic. Nutritional benefits = zero.
Green it: just choose organic, and go for local if you can get it.


17. Eggs
Eggs contain protein and fat to provide energy to your brain for hours, and the selenium in organic eggs is proven to help your mood. You really needn’t worry about the overblown cholesterol fears. (I have quite a bit to say on this topic but I’ll restrain myself for once.)
Green it: choose organic, free range, vegetarian fed eggs.

18. Green Leafy Vegetables
Spinach, kale, chard, romaine, arugula, lolla rossa – whatever green you like, eat it daily. Green, leafy vegetables are high in iron (slightly less "green" iron sources include beef, pork and lamb). Americans tend to be deficient in iron, which is too bad, because the deficiency is linked to restless leg syndrome, fatigue, poor mood, foggy thinking, and other cognition issues.
Green it: choose organic, and shop at your farmers’ market or order from a local CSA. Leave out the red meat a few days a week and rely on a big, well-seasoned green stir fry or salad.

19. Tomatoes
Go figure, but tomatoes don’t usually make the brain-boosting food lists. (Thank goodness I found the one that did so I’m not the only one.) Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that is particularly good for your brain – it even helps prevent dementia. You have to cook tomatoes to get the lycopene – take that, raw foodies! Just kidding. But this does mean that ketchup is good for your brain. Although because of the sugar in it, you should look to other sources for most of your lycopene intake, such as fresh tomato sauce.
Green it: try to eat tomatoes that are local and get your lycopene in vitamin form when tomatoes aren’t in season. You’ll know when that is – the tomatoes will be pale, tasteless, and pithy.

20. Cacao nibs

That’s right, I’m putting chocolate on this list twice. My boyfriend knows I need it. I eat chocolate or cacao nibs daily and I think you might want to consider it, too.Cacao nibs are among the top five most powerful brain foods, right next to wild salmon and blueberries. My girlfriends and I like to mix cacao nibs with frozen blueberries and a generous splash of organic heavy cream while we watch really bad television on Sunday nights.
Green it: as long as it’s fair trade and organic, it’s green.

Things that drain your brain:
Alcohol kills your brain cells outright! Alcohol also interferes with dopamine production. Moderate amounts of alcohol, particularly resveratrol-rich red wine, can help improve your health, but anything beyond a glass or two of wine daily is a recipe for reduced brain function and energy loss.
Corn Syrup and Sugar lead to health problems like diabetes and obesity, and they’re terrible for your brain. Don’t eat sugar except on special occasions or as an infrequent treat. If you can’t cut back that much, try to limit yourself to just two bites of whatever tempts you daily.
Nicotine constricts blood flow to the brain, so while it may "soothe" jittery nerves, smoking will actally reduce your brain function severely – and the effects are cumulative.

A high carbohydrate lunch will make you sleepy and sluggish. Opt for a light meal with some quality protein, such as a salad with grilled chicken breast or vegetables and hummus or wild American shrimp and avocado.

Food that can ruin your sex life!

You are what you eat, they say. When it comes to sex, therefore, you invariably sex what you eat! It’s that simple. Truth is, what you eat affects every part of your being, your ability to become aroused, achieve orgasm and feel sexually satisfied.
This is why we have decided to share, with blessings from several experts, those foods that may be killing your sex life. Here they are:
Fried foods and chips.
Love those tantalizing bacon cheeseburgers? Well, go easy on them because the saturated fats contained in most cheeses and fatty meats will possibly, over time, clogs your arteries. But you already knew that, didn’t you? I am not sure if you knew that first arteries usually affected are the penal and vaginal arteries? They are small, which means they quickly collect plaque — so even if you’re still looking svelte despite your close personal relationship with the pastries, your sex life might be suffering.

Cookies and muffins.
Whether you prefer pastries or macaroons, scones or muffins, baked food that combine flour and sugar spike glucose levels, which can reduce sexual desire and causes hormonal imbalances. A lot of chips and other fried foods do contain trace amounts of libido lowering fats as a byproduct of processing, even though the label on your fries and chips says trans-fat. Initially though, the initial ingredients may be trans-fat free, but the processing often creates unhealthy fats which clog the ventricles, not to mention, trans-fats have been linked to reduce testosterone levels (which means lower sex drive).

Soy products.
You may have been medically advised to ingest more soy products for a healthier life, I am here to tell you that too much of it for a man can, most possibly, affect his sex drive because of their high estrogen levels. A high estrogen level in male is not libido friendly.

Dairy products.
As women, you have been told that you need a healthy dose of dairy products in your diets. As much as that is true, high-fat dairy does have a way of affecting your menstrual cycle by exacerbating cramps and bloating and further depleting energy levels.

Meat.
You have heard how much danger excessive red meat deposits into your body system, right? Now, I can go a little further to tell you that most meats, including dear poultry and fish, have added hormones, antibiotics and chemicals which create a hormonal imbalance. It gets worse, those tasty, fatty meats do contain high levels of saturated fats and cholesterol known to clog your arteries and blood vessels, making it difficult to achieve orgasm and maintain arousal. Can you now see why you need to sacrifice your taste for a healthier sex life?

Alcohol.
Think happy hour makes you happy? Try frequent happy hours and see if it doesn’t impede your getting laid! Frequent use of alcohol suppresses your libido, decreasing your sex drive and your sexual satisfaction.
Don’t say I never told you because I just did.