Everyone has heard that oysters are good for your sex drive, but did you know that there are a lot of other foods that can get your motor running?

“You can absolutely eat your way to better sex,” declares Lynn Edlen-Nezin, a clinical health psychologist who co-wrote the book “Great Food, Great Sex: The Three Food Factors for Sexual Fitness.”

“As a rule of thumb, what’s good for the heart is good for the genitals. If your plumbing — your heart — is clear above the waist, you’ll also have better blood flow and more sensation below.”

With that in mind, here are some dishes to include in any romantic dinner to help put some sizzle in your sex life.

Appetizer: Have a dozen raw oysters with chili pepper sauce. The old wives who tell tales about the aphrodisiac effect of oysters know what they’re talking about. The tasty mollusks are rich in the hormone dopamine, which boosts both sexual desire and testosterone levels. Complement them with a spicy sauce because hot peppers increase blood flow. They also contain the chemical capsaicin, which stimulates nerve endings to help make sex even more pleasurable.

Salad: Pick arugula for your leafy greens. The Romans dedicated arugula to Priapus, their god of fertility. The reason? Arugula is loaded with trace minerals and antioxidants that ward off potentially libido-killing toxins and help to keep your reproductive organs firing on all cylinders. Add avocados (which the Aztecs called “testicles” due to their shape) because they are high in healthy unsaturated fats, which have a hand in keeping blood vessels clear. Crumble in a hard-boiled egg, a good source of the circulation-boosting amino acid L-arginine. Top off the salad with sliced almonds, which are rich in zinc, a trace mineral known to increase sexual desire.

Entrée: Go with salmon. The omega-3 fatty acids found in this delicious fish are good for cardiovascular health and boost the production of dopamine, the so-called “reward hormone” that peaks during sexual fulfillment.

Side dishes: Serve up asparagus. Besides its suggestive shape, asparagus is one of the richest vegetable sources of folate. This nutrient promotes the healthy functioning of nitric oxide, which is produced by the linings of blood vessels to expand them and make it possible for a man to perform in the sack. For a second side dish, choose sweet potato for its vitamin C, iron, and potassium. The anti-aging effects of the vitamin C will make you feel younger, the iron will give you energy to get you through the night, and the potassium regulates blood pressure in a way that enhances male performance.

Wine: Go with the red. Researchers in Italy have discovered that compounds in red wines increase blood flow to a woman’s erogenous zone, increasing sexual desire. Another compound, quercetin, boosts testosterone in men – a perfect match!

Dessert: Chocolate-covered strawberries are a great choice. Strawberries are sweet, red and juicy, and their succulence is a sensual treat in itself. They’re also loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants, a combination that increases testosterone levels. Add some dark chocolate to double the beneficial effects. A compound in the sweet treat, phenylethylamine, releases “feel good” endorphins. It's also teeming with nitric oxide-boosting L-arginine. Researchers found that just one cube of dark chocolate a day can improve sexual function.