The end of the year is usually filled with holidays, celebrations, food, and libations galore. While the festivities bring a lot of joy, the holiday season can also bring unexpected health issues. There are endless articles about holiday prep to avoid a calorie or sugar over-indulgence. It may be surprising to learn that many foods doctors recommend limiting to avoid weight gain or heart issues are the same foods that contribute to erectile dysfunction. We’ve created an easy-to-follow holiday guide, including foods for erectile dysfunction, to help curb unwanted symptoms so you can fully enjoy a festive and jolly holiday season.
Foods to Limit for ED
Making healthier holiday options doesn’t have to be daunting. It’s important to realize that limiting certain activities isn’t going to limit enjoyment or fun, in fact, in can exponentially increase fun in the bedroom. A great holiday rule of thumb to remember is that foods that are bad for the heart are also bad for the penis. The cardiovascular symptom is closely intertwined with healthy penis function. To maintain optimal blood flow throughout the entire body, limit the consumption of the following foods and beverages through dinner parties and leftover lunches.
Red and Processed Meat
Many holiday meals are meat-centric and who are we deny those favorite traditional dishes that only appear on the menu a couple of times a year? Whether your favorite meat entree is cooked, baked and roasted, don’t let it dominate your plate. Instead, aim to strike a balance of a responsible serving along with alternate options listed below. If your ED symptoms are particularly prevalent, aim to significantly lower or eliminate your intake of red and processed meat throughout the entire year. Studies show consuming high amounts of animal fat and cholesterol negatively affects heart and erection health.
Refined Grains
Refined grains have been milled without the bran or germ. While this increases shelf life, it drastically reduces nutrients like iron, B-vitamins, and fiber content. Fiber found in whole grains (not refined grains) helps in lowering the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other health issues like ED. Examples of refined grains are white flour, white bread, white rice, along with many desserts and pastries. 
Fried Foods
While fried foods can be quite delicious, they've also been found to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Those who eat fried foods up to three times a week have a 7% higher risk of heart attacks or strokes. Because hearth strength is imperative to healthy erections, cutting back on fried foods is a great idea to keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range. While eating fried foods sparingly isn't going to instantly affect erections, eating them daily will only yield unwanted health outcomes.
Alcohol
Excessive drinking can increase cardiovascular risks because alcohol can actually raise the levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream. This can lead to heart failure, high blood pressure, and strokes. The American Heart Association recommends limiting drinks to 1-2 drinks per day for men. One drink is defined as a 12 oz. beer, 4 oz. of wine, or 1.5 oz. 80-proof spirits.
Foods to Reduce ED Risk
While the list of foods to reduce may seem lengthy, there are plenty of healthy options to assist in maintaining cardiovascular and erectile function. During the fall and winter holidays, incorporate the following in your daily meals:
- Almonds and walnuts
- Apples
- Beets
- Cranberries
- Dark chocolate
- Leafy green vegetables like spinach, celery and kale
- Pistachios
- Red wine
- Whole grains
Enjoying nutrient-health foods can greatly assist in lowering the risk for ED since they'll keep the heart healthy and cholesterol levels steady. While overindulgence can happen during the holidays, it's important to balance it with physical activity. While the cold weather may mean a gym skip-day, attempt to incorporate other ways to stay active like skiing, walking indoors like at a shopping mall, climbing up and down the stairs at work or doing a yoga session at home. At Giddy, we've created an ED device intended specifically to assist in maintaining erections. Overcoming ED isn’t easy, but this medical device is simple to use and prescription-free. These small additions to your daily life help erectile dysfunction naturally, which will make for healthier, friskier holiday season. Legal Disclaimer: We appreciate you taking part in the discussion about sexual health and wellness. Because we include information about medical conditions and treatments, please note the following: Information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only. Any information provided here is not for the purpose of diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of treatment regimen you should always seek the advice of your licensed healthcare professional. And remember, if you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. All information on this site is provided in good-faith, however, Giddy Holdings, Inc, and its agents and employees, make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of this content. Under no circumstances shall we assume any liability to you for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of this site, or the reliance on any information provided herein. Any application of the material provided here is at the reader’s sole discretion and responsibility.