It’s great to see more men paying attention to their T-levels and being aware that it’s directly linked to many health issues that can creep up over time.
Natural aging is something none of us can avoid, but boosting testosterone levels doesn’t have to mean some sort of medical treatment.
To help our clients, we teamed up with a dietitian and nutritionist to help us create a testosterone diet.
We’ve tested this out with several clients, and with some adjustments along the way, we’ve come up with simple meal plan ideas that you can start implementing immediately.
Quick Summary
- An excellent testosterone diet plan comprises proteins, healthy fats, carbs, vegetables, and fruits.
- Eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, chia seeds, vegetables, red meat, avocado, sweet potatoes, oysters, shellfish, and olive oil are examples of an excellent testosterone diet.
- Ensure your calorie intake is evenly balanced to promote the production of the testosterone hormone.
A Diet Plan For Testosterone Production and the Role of TRT
Before we get to our sample testosterone diet plan, let me address a few things about dietary macros.
Protein
When it comes to protein, you have to be careful not to end up on a constantly high-protein diet.
And that’s difficult for a lot of athletes and bodybuilders who rely on protein to support muscle growth by constantly taking whey protein shakes.
One study, in particular, found that large consumption of protein may lead to a slight reduction in testosterone [2]. And that might slightly hinder muscle growth.
Fat
Fats have gained a very bad reputation, and as a result, people simply believe that all fats are evil. But nothing could be further from the truth.
There are numerous health benefits associated with healthy fats, including feeling full for longer, reducing inflammation, and supporting testosterone.
One study found that low-fat diets produced a 15% reduction in T-levels, which should be easy to solve with the right choice of foods [3].
Just remember: dietary fat does not equal more fat cells in your body.
Carbs
If you’ve read our articles for long enough, you’ll know that we always get people to pay more attention to carbs and reduce their intake of simple carbs.
Carbs play a significant role in body fat retention, and that influences testosterone production.
Just as the ketogenic diet encourages limiting carbohydrate intake to a minimum, typically less than 50 grams of carbs per day, and compensating for the calorie deficit with healthy fats.
A study not only revealed a significant increase in testosterone levels for participants on a keto diet but an almost threefold rise [4].
Calories
Caloric intake plays a significant role in testosterone production, as both excessive and insufficient consumption can have detrimental effects.
Achieving a well-balanced caloric intake is essential for optimizing testosterone release.
Consuming an excess amount of calories can lead to the accumulation of belly fat, which in turn can decrease testosterone levels.
Conversely, inadequate caloric intake can also result in decreased testosterone production.
Individuals who undergo an extended cutting phase may likely experience reduced testosterone levels, as evidenced by blood tests.
And while diet plays a crucial role in testosterone levels, some individuals may still face challenges.
For a comprehensive approach to boost testosterone to a healthy, normal level, we seriously recommended considering Fountain TRT's effective testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
After personally reviewing Fountain's service ourselves, we found it promoted optimal hormone levels for overall well-being and vitality without breaking the bank.
Sample Meal Plan
Breakfast
- 3 large scrambled eggs, including yolks
- 1 portion of oatmeal
- Fruit salad with natural yogurt, chia seeds, and mixed nuts
Lunch
- A small portion of lean red meat or poultry
- Mixed raw vegetables
- 1/2 avocado
Dinner
- 6 ounces of shellfish and oysters
- A medium portion of sweet potato
- Bowl of leafy greens with cold-pressed olive oil
This is just one example of a single day. And there are so many other foods that you can introduce easily on a daily basis to get the essential nutrient combination.
Which Foods Raise Testosterone The Most?
Here are a few things our dietitian recommended that you include in your meals to improve your testosterone levels.
1 - Healthy Fat
Fat has a bad reputation, but when you pick out saturated fat from junk food, you’re left with a very important macro.
Here are some things that you can add to any lunch and dinner:
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Fish oil
- Whole milk instead of skimmed milk
2 - Red Meat
Things like ground beef and beef liver are other great sources of zinc and vitamin D.
But the important thing is to pay attention to the quality.
You can undo a lot of the benefits by buying the cheapest meat you can find. Instead, buy a little bit less beef but instead, make sure that it’s grass-fed.
3 - Egg Yolks
There’s too much bad advice getting people to only eat egg whites. But the fact is that the majority of the nutrients are in the egg yolks. These have a very high vitamin D content that your body needs to produce testosterone.
So, unless you have sky-high cholesterol levels, it is safe to add a few eggs to raise testosterone each day.
4 - Fish
They don’t call oysters an aphrodisiac for no reason. But if you’re not a big fan of raw shellfish, then try some cooked lobster, crab, muscles, or tuna.
You’ll get tons of vitamin D and zinc that will promote a much healthier hormone balance.
5 - Ginger
Ginger's fiery flavor is adored by many, but it also holds potential as a natural testosterone booster. Ginger has the ability to enhance the environment within the testicles, where testosterone synthesis takes place.
6 - Beans And Legumes
These really should be part of your regular diet.
They are the richest source of zinc when it comes to plants.
Just keep an eye on how much protein beans, lentils, chickpeas, and beans might end up adding to your macro profile.
6 - Cruciferous Vegetables
Here you want to focus on kale, broccoli, cabbage, sprouts, and turnips. These may help reduce the amount of testosterone that the male body converts into estrogen, which should help improve the balance between the male and female sex hormones.
Here’s the amazing thing: our dietitian highlighted that you could eliminate vitamin D supplementation altogether if you added a few of the above to your daily meal plans.
If you want to know more about natural ways of increasing T levels, here is our article about the best testosterone boosting herbs.
7 - Vitamins
Research has linked vitamin D intake to higher levels of testosterone. Also known as the sunshine vitamin, your body produces it naturally in the skin when you’re exposed to UV rays from the sun.
The main foods that you can source vitamin D from are oily fish and eggs.
And if you’ve done any research into keto recipes, you’ll find a lot of them involve fish and eggs. So that is one link we’ve established between keto and how your body produces testosterone.
How to Maintain Healthy Testosterone Levels Through Protein Diet?
To maintain optimal testosterone levels through a protein diet, people on high-protein diets should limit protein to no more than 25% of their daily caloric intake or 0.8 g of protein per pound of body weight.
In addition, you should aim at evenly spacing out protein intake throughout the day to ensure stable blood sugar levels.
If you're not getting the optimal protein intake for muscle growth through diet, you can supplement with protein shakes or powders.
I recommend that my clients gradually add protein to their diet but never exceed the recommended daily intake.
This will help ensure healthy growth without any adverse endocrine effects.
What Foods Might Act As Testosterone Killers?
Now that we’ve covered what you should be eating, let me give you some important information on what might lower testosterone levels as well.
These are the main testosterone lowering foods.
1 - Processed Food
It shouldn’t be a surprise that processed foods comes with all sorts of health problems attached. But how many of you knew that those burgers, fries, and pizzas that are full of saturated fats and trans fats could actually be killing your T-count?
One study found that they could be reducing testosterone by 15% and sperm by 40% [5].
So, not only does all that fast food make you fat and develop heart disease, but it could also be adding to your woes by messing with your hormones.
2 - Soybeans
I won’t go too deep into the science of this, but soybeans contain a very high amount of phytoestrogens, more than pretty much all other plant foods.
Scientists have also shown that it may have estrogenic effects, which could further imbalance hormone levels [6].
Now, I wouldn't say this is a type of food to avoid altogether, but try to moderate it, especially if you have struggled with testosterone deficiency.
Related: Does Soy Lower Testosterone?
3 - Vegetable And Seed Oils
Unfortunately, these types of oil are very common in people’s diets. Whether it’s in sauces, for frying food, or as part of a salad dressing, you need to understand that they contain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
These are unstable, and a Japanese study found that they may considerably influence hormone production and balances [7].
4 - Alcohol
Yes, folks, those bottles of beer and the odd glass of wine are not doing your testosterone any favors.
Sure, an occasional drink isn't going to do much damage, but when you regularly have a few more, then it’s something to consider restricting.
It might not be the major problem area, and implementing all other tips might solve things for you.
But if you really want to make an impact, then try reducing your alcohol intake to see how it impacts your T-count.
Remember, a testosterone-boosting diet plan should prioritize nutrient-dense foods, exercise, and sufficient sleep to complement the reduction in alcohol intake and optimize your testosterone levels naturally.
Related Articles:
- Does Exercise Increase Testosterone?
- What Foods Kill Testosterone?
- Ingredients to Look For in a Testosterone Booster
Robert Iafelice, a nutrition expert, explains that it’s actually more about the type of diet rather than the specific foods one eats that affect testosterone levels.
He recommends a modified keto diet with high animal protein to ensure high testosterone levels.
Generally, a high animal protein, low carb diet is more "testosterone friendly" than a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Meanwhile, a diet that is heavy in legumes, seeds, and whole grains can decrease the absorption of zinc due to a high concentration of phytates inhibiting its absorption.
In addition, low-fat diets (typically vegan and vegetarian) can also lead to a drop in testosterone.
FAQs
Does Keto Diet Increase Testosterone?
Yes, the keto diet increases testosterone as it comprises healthy fats and limits your carbohydrate intake.
Does Honey Boost Testosterone Levels?
Yes, honey may boost testosterone levels. It’s believed that it could do this indirectly by boosting luteinizing hormone levels, which is linked to testosterone.
Which Tea Is Good for Testosterone?
Drinking green tea might be good for testosterone. However, scientific studies are mixed, and so far, there is no clear connection between any kind of herbal tea and testosterone.
Does Turmeric Increase Testosterone?
Yes, turmeric may improve testosterone and hormone balance. Some studies have shown that it could make a significant enough boost to improve sex drive and muscle function.
What Fat Is Bad For Testosterone?
Trans fats are bad for testosterone and are mainly associated with highly processed junk food. These are the types of fats that a doctor will tell you to stay away from and would have a seriously negative effect on heart health and fat loss.
Does High-Protein Diet Decrease Testosterone?
Yes, a high-protein diet can decrease testosterone. While the fitness industry often promotes these diets, research indicates that a high protein intake may lead to a reduction in testosterone levels by over one-third.
Do Protein Shakes Reduce Testosterone?
References:
- https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-testosterone-levels-dc-idUKKIM16976320061101
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2129168/
- https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210409/Study-Low-fat-diets-reduce-mene28099s-testosterone-levels.aspx
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28399015/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3923511/
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/soy/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11525593/
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