It’s the start of the year. Which means that Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. I love Valentine’s Day. It’s a celebration of all things love, whether you’re celebrating alone, with your girlfriends or with someone you love. Make sure you find a way to celebrate love on this very special day!
And one way we celebrate is with food! And Valentine’s isn’t an exception. However, many Valentine’s treats are very sweet, highly processed or filled with dodgy ingredients. The classic option is to just take a sugary cookie recipe and use a heart shaped cookie cutter or to gift those little conversation hearts. But it doesn’t have to be this way! You can create Valentine’s Day snacks that are made with love and are nutritious. Yes, easy Valentine’s Day treats can be nutritious and delicious at the same time!
If you make any of the recipes below, I’d love to see! Use my email address and send me a picture of your creation!
Seven Healthy Valentine’s Day Treats
Hot Chocolate
182 calories
There’s nothing quite like curling up somewhere toasty with your love with a mug of hot chocolate! It takes the coziness to the next level instantly. Dairy free? Swap out the milk for a dairy free milk alternative of your choice. It can be worth giving this a test run as all of the various dairy free milks have quite different flavors.
Ingredients:
1 cup Milk, 2% (cups) – 122 calories
0.6 Tbsp Cocoa powder – 12 calories
3 tsp Sugar – 48 calories
Instructions:
In a (as small as possible!) pot, add in all ingredients.
Turn heat to low. Whisk mixture frequently for ~3 minutes, or until the desired temperature.
Strawberry Sundae Bites
171 calories
I love the way these turn into heart shaped strawberries with a simple slice! Make sure you’re measuring the toppings as it can be tempting to increase these and this will blow them out of being a healthy Valentine’s Day treat.
Ingredients:
1 cup Strawberries, fresh – 50 calories
4 Tbsp Regular whipped cream – 60 calories
2 tsp Sprinkles – 40 calories
0.3 Tbsp Chocolate chips – 21 calories
Instructions:
Cut stem off strawberries, slice each lengthwise.
Top with whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate chips.
Banana PB Pancakes
341 calories
Start your day off right with pancakes. Is there anything more decadent? Adding the peanut butter changes these from your standard pancakes and bumps up the flavor. Skip the syrp for a sugar free breakfast.
Ingredients:
1 Banana – 105 calories
½ tsp Baking powder – 0 calories
1 Tbsp Chocolate chips – 70 calories
1 Egg, large – 72 calories
1 Tbsp Peanut butter – 94 calories
1 Cinnamon, dash – 0 calories
Instructions:
Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl with a fork.
Blend in a blender if helpful.
Spray a non-stick pan with an oil spray.
Add mixture (will make 4-5 pancakes) to pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.
American Flag Grahams with Yogurt
229 calories
Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day with a veteran? Or perhaps you’re celebrating away from America and missing home. These festive crackers are a great way to celebrate love and America at the same time!
Ingredients:
2 Graham crackers – 118 calories
¼ cup Greek Yogurt, flavored (<15 gm sugar/ serving), 2% – 50 calories
¼ cup Pomegranate seeds – 43.5 calories
¼ cup Blueberries, fresh – 17.5 calories
1 Salt, dash – 0 calories
Instructions:
Spread yogurt evenly over graham crackers.
Top with blueberries and pomegranate seeds in American flag pattern.
No dairy? Use a dairy-free yogurt
Festive Strawbs with Yogurt
190 calories
A twist on the classic of dipping strawberries in chocolate, this option looks far more youthful and fun. Look for red sprinkles if you want a classier look or embrace the fun of rainbow sprinkles. Your sweet Valentine is sure to love these.
Ingredients:
1 cup Strawberries, fresh – 50 calories
½ cup Greek Yogurt, flavored (<15 gm sugar/ serving), 2% – 100 calories
2 tsp Sprinkles – 40 calories
Instructions:
Dip strawberries into yogurt
Top with sprinkles
No dairy? Use a dairy-free yogurt
Mini Parfait
281 calories
These mini parfaits are simple but can look amazing as a healthy dessert option if you’re making dinner at home. Put th
e yogurt into beautiful glasses and then layer the toppings on. Another great idea is to mix it up with frozen yogurt. You can make these before dinner and rest in your freezer next to the ice cubes to keep them fresh to whip out after dinner.
Ingredients:
1 Yogurt, plain, Greek, 2%, single-serving container – 110 calories
1 Tbsp Coconut chips – 45 calories
0.3 Tbsp Dark Chocolate chips – 21 calories
⅛ cup Almond slivers – 105 calories
Instructions:
Top single-serving yogurt with coconut flakes, chocolate chips, and almond slivers.
Stir & enjoy!
Notes: No dairy or nuts? Use a dairy-free version and feel free to swap out these for any nut or seed you prefer! (Roasted & salted are fine!) Want a flavored yogurt? Just choose one with <15 gm added sugar. Non-dairy yogurts are fine here if you prefer.
Mimosa
118 calories
This is the perfect way to start the day with your loved one (or loved ones if you’re celebrating with girlfriends). By combining your champagne or sparkling wine with some orange juice, you’re watering it down slightly so you don’t have to worry about getting tipsy at breakfast. Sip this drink slowly, enjoy the bubbles and don’t forget to toast to love before you drink! That’s what today is all about.
Ingredients:
4 oz Prosecco (champagne, cava) – 90 calories
2 oz Orange juice – 27.5 calories
Instructions:
Combine orange juice and prosecco in a flute shaped glass.
This drink is for those over 21 years old.
