We all know that diet and nutrition benefit our bodies, but let’s talk about food that specifically helps your vagina. If we are what we eat, which food should we be eating to keep our vags happy and healthy? It turns out there are a lot of delicious, vitamin-rich foods to add to our diets for a healthy vag.
Yogurt
There is a reason why women look so happy in yogurt commercials. It turns out that yogurt is excellent for vaginal health. Yogurt has good bacteria that balance your pH levels and fight off vaginal infections – especially Greek and plain-flavored yogurts. Plus, it’s said to make you taste better.
Fermented Foods
Like yogurt, these fermented foods include healthy bacteria to help the vaginal biome stay stable. These include drinks like kombucha as well as pickled foods like kimchi, kefir, and even sauerkraut. Yes, sauerkraut! Who would have thought that pickles and sauerkraut could benefit vaginal health?
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are seriously a miracle vegetable. You can cook them in a variety of ways – for breakfast, lunch, dinner, AND dessert – and they are good for you. Sweet potatoes are special because they are high in Vitamin A, and beta carotene, and they help keep your mucous membranes healthy. What’s that do? Healthy mucous membranes help fight vaginosis which is a very common infection in the vagina.
And that’s not all! Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and they help to regulate blood sugar levels which is really good for people with polycystic ovary syndrome. Sweet potatoes can help reduce PCOS’s painful symptoms. Like I said, sweet potatoes are a miracle food! Plus they taste good. Need I say more?
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are compounds found in high-fiber foods such as nuts, seeds, legumes, and leafy greens. Leafy greens also help with blood circulation and they contain nitrates that decrease vaginal dryness. What can’t kale do?! These foods keep you regular overall (I’m talking about bowel movements, ladies), so when you eat a healthy amount of prebiotics you are doing your entire downstairs region some good.
Fish
There is a reason why people take fish oil supplements. Fish oils and the omega-3s found in fish are super good for you because they help with blood circulation (which is good news for your sex drive). Studies have also shown that fish oil can alleviate painful menstrual cramps. So go eat that salmon fillet (with a side of sweet potatoes!).
Avocados
We know that you don’t want to sound like a Millennial stereotype by putting avocado on your toast, but avocados are proven to help your libido. They are high in healthy fats, B vitamins, and potassium, and studies have even found that avocados can increase success with IVF treatments. So, go ahead and order the avocado toast. It’s for your sex drive!
Cranberries
You’ve definitely heard jokes about cranberry juice being drunk when you are on your period, but those jokes exist for a reason. Cranberries really do help your vagina, especially during menstruation. Healthy compounds in cranberries balance the vagina’s pH level. That’s the key to a healthy vaginal biome. Also, the acid in cranberries fights off bacterial infections. That is why cranberry juice is always recommended when you have a UTI!
In general, berries are really good for you. When you get tired of cranberries, feel free to eat pomegranates, blueberries, goji berries, strawberries, and raspberries to improve your blood flow. All of these berries are high in antioxidants!
Be careful, however, to drink real cranberry juice. Stay clear of added sugars or concentrates as those won’t have the same effect.
Water
I know that water is not food, but water is a magical liquid that helps stabilize your entire body. We all know that water is good for us, so stay hydrated.
