All the sugar of Valentine’s Day candy can wreak havoc on your waistline and teeth. What’s more, eating too many sweets can eventually lead to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

But you can enjoy delicious snacks full of nutrients protein, calcium, antioxidants, and fiber. You’ll be surprised how tasty and sweet some of these are, and you won’t even miss all the added sugar!

Check out these five healthy alternatives to Valentine’s Day candy:

1. Strawberry Rose Bouquet

Recipe and photo courtesy of Local Adventurer.

Ingredients & Equipment

• 12-14 strawberries
• 12-14 wooden skewers

Instructions

1. Slice the first strawberry about two-thirds of the way down to form the first petal. Try not to slice all the way to the bottom, or the fruit may fall apart.
2. Start slicing 1-3 other petals to create a rose.
3. Repeat for the rest of the strawberries.
4. Gently place each strawberry onto the end of a skewer to form a bouquet.
5. Give the strawberry bouquet to a loved one, or enjoy it yourself!

2. Frozen Yogurt Bark

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Nutritionist Reviews.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups vanilla yogurt
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• ½ cup diced strawberries
• 2 tablespoons shredded coconut
• 2 tablespoons dark chocolate shavings

Instructions

1. Line a medium baking dish or sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Mix yogurt and protein powder. Spread yogurt about ½  inch thick on aluminum foil.
3. Sprinkle with strawberries, coconut, and dark chocolate. Freeze until solid, or about 90 minutes.
4. Remove from freezer and break “bark” up with your hands or a knife.
5. Serve immediately, or store in freezer tightly wrapped.

3. Superfood Trail Mix

Recipe and photo courtesy of Eating Bird Food.

Ingredients

• ¾ dried cranberries
• ¾ dried cherries
• ½ cup dates
• ⅓ cup cashews (raw or roasted & unsalted)
• ⅓ cup sliced almonds (toasted)
• 2–3 sections of dark chocolate, chopped

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl and serve. 
2. Store in an air-tight container for 7-10 days.

4. Heart-Shaped Sushi

Recipe and photo courtesy of Holly’s Helpings.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked rice
• ½ cup rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons salt
• 4 sheets of nori (seaweed)
• A bamboo mat or cutting board

Instructions

1. Mix vinegar, sugar, and salt together. Heat the mixture on the stovetop so the sugar and salt dissolve completely.
2. Combine the mixture with rice.
3. Cover the bamboo mat with plastic wrap, or set out the cutting board.
4. Place a nori piece onto the mat (or board), shiny side down.
5. Spread a cup of rice over the nori piece, making sure there’s a ½-inch space left at the top and bottom of the seaweed.
6. Slowly roll up the sushi.
7. Use the mat or your hands to squish the roll to one side. One end should be pointy, and the other end should be rounded (forming a heart).
8. Repeat Steps 4-7 with the other three pieces of nori and the rest of the rice.
9. Serve and enjoy!

5. FroYo Bites

Recipe and photo courtesy of Disney Family.

Ingredients & Equipment

• 1 pint raspberries
• 1 cup vanilla yogurt (regular or Greek)
• 1 mini ice cube mold

Instructions

1. Slightly mash the raspberries with a fork.
2. Combine the raspberries with the yogurt, mixing well.
3. Using a spatula, fill the ice cube molds with the yogurt mixture. Scrape off excess.
4. Place in the freezer until thoroughly frozen, about 6 hours or overnight. 
5. Pop the bites out of the ice cube molds and enjoy!
6. To store, place yogurt bites in a small, resealable, freezer-safe container or bag. Return to the freezer for up to 1 month.

We hope you have a wonderful (and healthy) Valentine’s Day! And if you’d like more healthy eating tips, be sure to check out our other resources.

The Lafayette Family YMCA is a community dedicated to healthy living and social responsibility. For more fitness tips and to stay up to date about YMCA events, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

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