When you’re trying to stick to a healthier lifestyle, the holidays can be a challenge, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. All those Valentine’s treats — like candy, boxes of chocolates, decadent dinners and glasses of bubbly — can willpower to the test.
So how can you enjoy the lovefest without abandoning your healthy habits and fitness goals? Here are 10 simple tricks for a healthier Valentine’s Day.
1. Prepare a romantic dinner at home
Let’s face it — dining out on Valentine’s Day usually means making reservations weeks in advance, braving the crowds, and overpaying for a prix fixe meal. Save headaches, money and calories cooking dinner at home instead.
2. Rejoice with fruit
Valentine’s Day usually means making everything from cookies to candy to drinks colored in a festive shade of red or pink. Instead of additives, enjoy natural pink foods such as beets, strawberries and raspberries.
One great option: start your day with this strawberry Valentine Shakeology smoothie. It contains 19 grams of protein, 9 grams of fiber and probiotics.
3. Plan an active date
There is no rule that you plan for Valentine’s Day have include a quiet dinner and cuddles on the couch. Make Valentine’s Day healthier (and more fun!) with ideas for active compounds — go for a walk, take an acro yoga class, try ax throwing or go out dancing.
4. Upgrade your V-Day Candy
Those chocolate bars might be the official symbol of Valentine’s Day, but if you’re trying to stick to a healthy eating plan, opt for healthier Valentine’s sweets — like low-sugar versions of your favorite candies or homemade strawberry and unsweetened coconut truffles. Even better: surprise your partner with a delicious fruit basket instead.
5. Watch your wine intake
Alcohol is typical full of empty caloriesso whether you’re toasting with bubbly or sipping red wine, keep your portions under control. Instead of filling the glass, measure out a five-ounce serving—and alternate between alcoholic beverages and water, or seltzer.
6. Stay on track with healthy food substitutions
Whether you’re planning a menu for a Valentine’s Day party or baking a Valentine’s Day dessert for your sweetie, a few simple food swaps can help you cut back added sugar and empty calories. Try these:
- When baking, use unsweetened applesauce instead of sugar. (You may need to reduce the amount of oil you use to keep the recipe from being watery.)
- For sauce recipes, substitute sour cream with low-fat Greek yogurt — you will get less fat and more protein (approx 3 grams per ounce of yogurt).
- Use mashed banana as substitute for butter in recipes. (Use a one-to-one ratio, but reduce the cooking time by 25 percent.)
- Substitute pureed black beans or white beans for all-purpose flour in recipes for cookies, brownies or brownies.
- Replace chips and crackers for spicy popcorn or baked chickpeas.
7. Exchange gifts that support your goals
Instead of the usual cliche Valentine’s Day gifts, ask for something that will help you reach your fitness and nutrition goals—like stylish active clothesand training streaming subscriptionor useful kitchen tools.
Sure, buying a vegetable spiralizer or pressure cooker for Valentine’s Day might sound like the least romantic gift idea ever. But think about it — while the roses will be wilting in a week, you’ll be making your favorite InstantPot recipes for years to come!
8. Choose healthier desserts
If you’ve been thinking about sweets for Valentine’s Day since the first minute of February, you don’t have to skip sweets altogether. But deviate from your usual pink confetti cookies and use V-Day as an excuse to try a healthier dessert recipe, like these chocolate dipped strawberries or red velvet Shakeology waffles.
9. Get creative with Valentine’s Day treats for kids
Need to send treats for the kids for a classroom party? Don’t think about the usual candy and send non-food items instead — like stickers, crayons, or heart-shaped sunglasses. (Their teachers will thank you!)
10. Don’t forget to take care of yourself
Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating the people you love — and that list should include you! Be sure to include some simple self-care routines in your Valentine’s Day plans, like starting a gratitude journal, scheduling a massage, or trying it out walking meditation.
