Healthy Valentine's Day Snacks
Love is in the air and with it the soft aroma of chocolates and a bouquet of sweet treats typically aren’t far behind. Though it can be quite sweet to treat your significant other with all the standard saccharine confections, nothing says you care like a gift from the heart- and the best gift may be a bit more heart healthy than your typical fatty candies and snacks. To help you find the perfect balance between heavenly and healthy, we have a wide variety of wholesome delights that offer the same saccharine bliss without the guilt.
For the Food Lovers
Opting for a more nutritious nibble supplies more than a feeling of satisfaction and a simple contribution to your overall wellness; the right foods help support a balanced disposition and provide plenty of energy to enjoy the company of that special someone. Lighter desserts and dishes can prevent the two of you from being overwhelmed by the languid exhaustion that often follows a feast of fattier foods.
A healthy dinner won’t be the only thing you’ll be eating on Valentine’s Day, and the wrong snacks or treats can certainly contribute to that feeling of fullness that may ruin any after-dinner plans. Rather than offering opulent candies to your valentine, there are an abundance of confections available that will satisfy that craving for chocolate without the surplus of refined sugars.
Though a sweet date may start with a gift of candy and flowers, your special someone may also appreciate a more substantive nibble before your candlelight dinner. Whether you’re aiming to quell your hunger while awaiting the full spread that awaits, stocking your picnic basket for an adorable lunch date, or aiming to offer an idyllic dessert- your preparation will be made much easier with our healthy recipes and a selection of similarly scrumptious sweets.
Valentine’s Day Snack Recipes
Nothing says “from the heart” like something made with your hands. So when it comes to supplying that perfect bite to eat for your beau or beauty, make a delectable dish that’s as wholesome as it is delicious. The recipes below were carefully crafted by our Registered Dietitian to offer a great taste that’s also great for you!
Almond Truffles Recipe {gluten-free, vegan}
These delightful treats offer a decadent delight that is decorated ideally for the occasion. Perfect for fans of the raspberry, particularly those with restrictive appetites, these truffles are sure to tantalize taste buds!
Ingredients: Pitted dates, almond flour, almond butter, water, flaxseed meal, freeze-dried raspberries, unsweetened shredded coconut.
Total Time: 15 minutes
| Yield: 14 - 16 truffles
No-Bake Cheesecake Bites Recipe {gluten-free}
One of our most popular recipes of all time, these delectable desserts are easy to make and offer a succulent saccharine savor that is great for a snack or dessert.
Ingredients: Pitted dates, almond flour, cacao powder, vanilla extract, almond milk, raw cashews, maple syrup, canned pumpkin, pumpkin spice.
Total Time: 20 minutes
| Yield: 16 - 20 squares
Spirulina Ice Cream Recipe {gluten-free}
Propose a dessert option that is equal parts delicious and nutritious with this incredible vegan ice cream. This frozen treat is surprisingly scrumptious, so you can consider the ample nutritional benefits of spirulina as just an added perk.
Ingredients: Full fat coconut milk, agave syrup, spirulina, cacao nibs.
Total Time: 10 minutes
| Yield: 4 servings
Farro Vegetable Salad Recipe
When searching for the perfect picnic side, a salad always supplies a superb selection, and this salad stands out with its innovative blend of unconventional ingredients.
Ingredients: Organic farro, sun dried tomatoes, frozen corn (thawed), scallions, black olives, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, salt, fresh dill, fresh mint, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar.
Total Time: 1 hour
| Yield: 6 servings
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad Recipe {gluten-free}
This traditional dish from Lebanon offers a simple snack or side that is both light and delicious. Keep you and your partner sitting pretty through a picnic or dinner with this palatable plate.
Ingredients: Quinoa, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh parsley, fresh mint, black pepper, salt.
Total Time: 40 minutes
| Yield: 4 servings
Blueberry Crumb Bars Recipe {gluten-free, vegan}
If your valentine prefers baked goods to chocolates and desserts then these delectable baked bars are the perfect present. Each bite provides bliss in bluesberry form!
Ingredients: Almond flour, coconut flour, coconut oil, agave syrup, water, baking soda, blueberries, arrowroot powder (or cornstarch), brown rice flour, ground cinnamon, sugar.
Total Time: 1 hour
| Yield: 12 bars
Healthy Vegan Chocolate Truffle Recipe
If almond raspberry truffles don’t tickle your significant other’s fancy then fret not- for we have another variety of this fancy treat that makes use of its traditional chocolate flavor.
Ingredients: Jumbo Mejdool dates, almond flour, chia seeds, flaxseed meal, cacao powder, agave or maple syrup, almond milk, unsweetened shredded coconut.
Total Time: 15 minutes
| Yield: 24 truffles
Our Registered Dietitian's Top Picks
There are an abundance of sweets available on our site- but some stand out as a saccharine snack that is both wholesome and ideal for romance. Each of these treats has both a hint of that succulent sweetness and a dash of needed nutrition from dark chocolate, which provides flavanols that are linked to lowering blood pressure. Discover the deliciously decadent delights our Registered Dietitian selected below!