Amanda Hamilton's sexy food

Food and sex have always been good bed partners. From saucy Nine and a Half Week-style scenes to sharing tea and toast on a Sunday morning, experiencing the finer things in life can enhance intimacy

With Valentine's cards and fanciful gifts for your beloved (or intended!) weighing down the high street shelves it's time to think beyond the commercial side and indulge in nature's larder to help you and yours get in the mood.

Rule 1, stock up on natural aphrodisiac

Aphrodisiacs have been around for thousands of years and even though many modern scientists poo-poo their effects (have they got nothing better to do?) the placebo affect alone is enough to warrant giving them a try.

An aphrodisiac is an agent that is said to arouse or increase one's sexual desire. It can be a food, drink, drug, or scent that elicits desire and arousal, enhances one's drive and a man's 'performance' by extending sexual energy. In other words ladies, get organised!

Oysters are probably our best-known aphrodisiac. Is it the touchy-feely eating style or perhaps expense and sense of indulgence? The fact that they are one of nature's best sources of zinc, the ultimate fertility nutrient, gives them the nod from the nutritionist's point of view too.

Sweet foods such as figs and dark chocolate can be melted for dipping or nibbled. Indeed, while I was living over in India, a plate of fresh figs at the end of a romantic meal was served with a smirk and a nudge-nudge, wink-wink, such is the cultural buy-in to this particular sexy food.