With Valentine’s Day often comes one too many chocolate truffles and the potential for an overload on sugar cookies, pink frosting, and anything covered in sprinkles. However, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean letting loose of your healthy lifestyle. There are still ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day treats with healthier options. Here are five healthy recipes perfect for Valentine’s Day:
Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Everyone loves a good chocolate covered strawberry, and the health benefits of dark chocolate (in moderation!) make this a treat that is decadent, delicious, and good for you. Not to mention, those strawberries still count in the 1½ -2 cups of suggested fruit per day, so you can load up on antioxidants and treat yourself at the same time.
Both pink and sweet, these shots of frosting are small but satisfying for any Valentine’s Day craving. Unlike regular frosting, these “shots” made from strawberries and coconut milk are light enough to leave you without any of the bloat, guilt, or sugar crashes.
Truffles… a Valentine’s Day requirement for sure! This recipe uses only real, whole ingredients that can be switched and swapped to make the truffles a variation that is completely your own. Dark chocolate, coconut milk, cinnamon, hazelnuts, and pistachios are all some of the variations you could try, and each of those ingredients have wonderful health benefits on their own. You could also try almond, lavender or peppermint extract for unique flavors.
Brighten your typical morning with a Valentine’s Day twist on breakfast. Any day that starts with pancakes is a good one, and especially so if the pancakes are packed with whole ingredients and a punch of pink like this recipe.
Saving the best for last: healthy red velvet cupcakes! It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a little (or a lot!) red velvet something, and this healthy cupcake recipe is sure to be a winner. The secret ingredient? They’re naturally red from beets!
