Valentine’s Day means different things to different people.
Some go all out, planning the “perfect” evening months in advance.
Some prefer joining the long line of guys standing in line, waiting to buy a small bouquet of flowers and a cheap box of chocolate for their significant others.
Still others swear off all things romantic and opt for strictly “Galentine’s” kinds of fun.
Whichever group you fall into, one thing is pretty much guaranteed: food is definitely involved.
…and unfortunately, so is the usual post-Valentine’s Day sugar crash.
Heart-shaped chocolates, dinner splurges, and “just one more” glasses of wine have a way of turning a celebration of love into a celebration of excess.
Thankfully, there are such things as healthy Valentine treats…and today we’re going to cover the most delectable options.
Rest assured that the pheromones aren’t lacking in any of these and even if they aren’t technically aphrodisiacs, the lack of “next day regret” makes them incredibly tempting.
Cupid’s Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Hearts
Chocolate and strawberries are pretty much the unofficial “kings” and “queens” of Valentine’s Day. With some basic restraint, strawberries won’t set you back too much, but too much of the “wrong” kind of chocolate can quickly detonate a sugar bomb.
Opting for a rich, yet not excessively sweet dark chocolate and strawberry mix will still allow you to pay homage to the royal couple of Valentine’s Day while greatly lessening any sugar detonations.
Preparation is very minimal and, if the mood strikes, feel free to add some light, themed sprinkles without the added guilt.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Fact | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 5mg |
| Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Sugars | 16g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Protein | 2g |
Ingredients (approximately 4 servings)
- 16 medium fresh strawberries
- 3 oz (85 g) dark chocolate (70–85% cacao)
- Valentine-themed sprinkles (optional)
Preparation
- Gently melt the dark chocolate
- Dip strawberries and allow them to set on parchment paper
- Briefly chill before serving
Love Potion Raspberry Chia Pudding
Strawberries are undeniably the go-to fruit of Valentine’s Day, but raspberries have their place, as well. What’s better, when they top the Love Potion Raspberry Chia Pudding, this indulgent-tasting drink delivers steady energy instead of a sugar spike…and crash.
The deep pink hue gives it the perfect Valentine’s Day aesthetic, but its creamy texture and subtle sweetness are what leads to second and third helpings. Thankfully, with a respectable amount of protein and an impressive amount of fiber per serving, we actually encourage you to indulge a bit.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Fact | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 230 |
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 75mg |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Sugars | 10g |
| Fiber | 10g |
| Protein | 8g |
Ingredients (approximately 4 servings)
- ½ cup chia seeds
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, mashed
- 1–2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Fresh berries, for topping (optional)
Preparation
- Mix chia seeds with almond milk and mashed raspberries
- Chill until thickened
- Top off with fresh (unmashed) berries
Sweetheart Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Cups
Every health and fitness enthusiast who has gotten ahold of the nutrition information for The Cheesecake Factory is scarred for life. However, not all cheesecake concoctions are strictly off limits, to include the Sweetheart Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Cups.
Creamy, light, sweet, (and ideally served in portion-controlled cups) makes these ideal for couples who want a few delicious bites of dessert as opposed to a full slice of regret.
Feel free to adjust the yogurt-to-cheesecake ratio to your liking and don’t forget to top with strawberries or raspberries.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Fact | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 260 |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 180mg |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Sugars | 12g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Protein | 8g |
Ingredients (approximately 4 servings)
- 1½ cups plain nonfat or low-fat Greek yogurt
- 4 oz (115 g) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or butter, melted
- 1 tbsp honey
- Fresh strawberries or raspberries, for topping (optional)
Preparation
- Blend Greek yogurt, cream cheese, and honey
- Spoon into cups over a light oat crust
- Chill until set
Heartbreaker Dark Chocolate Energy Truffles
The irony of the Heartbreaker Dark Chocolate Energy Truffles is that if there is any phrase to describe them, it should be “heart healer”! They’re perfect for Valentine’s parties, as office treats, or Galentine’s nights where everyone ends up picking…whether they realize it or not.
For those who like the thought of low effort healthy Valentine treats, these require zero baking and essentially zero prep drama.
These pair surprisingly well with red wine, but be careful not to over do the vino if you’re truly committed to avoiding “heartbreaker”-levels of indulging.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Fact | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 |
| Total Fat | 11g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 85mg |
| Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Sugars | 9g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Protein | 6g |
Ingredients (approximately 4 servings)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup natural peanut butter or almond butter
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Preparation
- Blend oats, nut butter, cocoa powder, and honey
- Roll into balls
- Chill before serving
Galentine’s Berry-Blush Frozen Yogurt Bark
Galentine’s Day snack checklists usually go something like this:
Appropriately festive
Shareable (a lot of the girls are going to be in attendance)
Low-effort…because screw all that mess of preparing some elaborate dish
Of course, the Galentine’s Berry-Blush Frozen Yogurt Bark ticks every box.
Between the berries (don’t be afraid to invite blueberries to the party), creamy yogurt, and light crunch make these have “indulgent, but not overboard” vibes.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Fact | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 190 |
| Total Fat | 4g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 10mg |
| Sodium | 95mg |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Sugars | 14g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Protein | 12g |
Ingredients (approximately 4 servings)
- 2 cups plain nonfat or low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- ½ cup sliced strawberries
- ¼ cup blueberries
- ¼ cup raspberries
- 2 tbsp chopped almonds or pistachios
Preparation
- Spread Greek yogurt on a lined tray
- Top with berries and nuts
- Freeze until firm
Date Night Cocoa-Kissed Almond Fondue
A proper dessert is always going to be the true Valentine’s centerpiece. The Date Night Cocoa-Kissed Almond Fondue is up for the task, offering a warm, silky chocolate flavor (perfect for a chilly February night) by opting for almond butter and cocoa instead of heavy cream.
Being “less snacky” than any of the other healthy Valentine treat options, designed for those who prefer to take things slow and savor every bite, it’s the perfect option as a post-date nightcap…or to indulge over the duration of a more low-key and intimate evening in.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Fact | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 140mg |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Sugars | 14g |
| Fiber | 6g |
| Protein | 9g |
Ingredients (approximately 4 servings)
- ½ cup natural almond butter
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2–3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2–3 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
- Fresh fruit for dipping (strawberries, apple slices, banana pieces)
Preparation
- Warm almond butter with cocoa powder and maple syrup until smooth
- Serve immediately with fruit for dipping.
…The Morning After
Despite our best efforts, sometimes “the morning after” can be a bit of a disaster…and even can even lead to some regret.
Thankfully, our healthy Valentine treats prevent all disaster and regret without removing the romance or putting a damper on the mood.
You may even find that your Valentine’s Day celebration extends into February 15…
Cupid would definitely approve.
