If you’re trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the holidays can be challenging, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. All the goodies on Valentine’s Day, including candy hearts, boxes of chocolates, dinners, and cups of bubbly, can challenge your willpower.
So how can you enjoy the holiday of love without giving up on your healthy habits and fitness goals? Here are 10 simple ways to stay healthy on Valentine’s Day.
1. Have a romantic dinner at home
Let’s be real – dining out on Valentine’s Day usually means making reservations weeks in advance, mobilizing crowds, and overpaying for cheap food. Save headaches, cash, and calories by making dinner at home instead.
2. Celebrate with fruits
Valentine’s Day usually means making cupcakes, candies, and drinks dyed in festive shades of red or pink. Instead of using supplements, refresh your mood with naturally rose-colored foods like beets, strawberries, and raspberries.
One great option: Start your day with a Strawberry Valentine Shakeology Smoothie. It contains 19 grams of protein, 9 grams of fiber and probiotics.
3. Plan an active date night
There are no rules for planning your Valentine’s Day is including silent dinners and cuddling on the couch. Make Valentine’s Day healthier (and more fun!) with these active date ideas—hiking, acro yoga, ax throwing, dancing, and more.
4. Upgrade your V-Day Candy
Chocolate samplers may be the official symbol of Valentine’s Day, but if you’re trying to stick to a healthy eating plan, choose your favorite low-sugar Valentine’s Day candy, homemade truffles, and more. strawberries and unsweetened coconut. Even better: surprise your partner with a delicious fruit basket instead.
5. Watch your wine consumption
Alcohol is often full of empty calories, so whether you’re sipping on bubbly toast or sipping red wine, watch your portions. Instead of filling your glass, measure out five-ounce servings and substitute vodka, water, or seltzer.
6. Stay on track with healthy food swaps
Whether you’re planning your Galentine’s Day party menu or making your sweetheart a Valentine’s Day treat, making a few simple food substitutions can help you cut down on added sugar and empty calories. Try these:
- Use unsweetened applesauce instead of sugar when baking. (You may need to reduce the amount of oil you use to keep the recipe water-free.)
- For dip recipes, swapping out the sour cream for low-fat Greek yogurt will give you less fat and more protein. 3 grams per ounce of yogurt).
- Use mashed bananas to replace butter in recipes. (Use the same ratio, but reduce the cooking time by 25 percent.)
- Substitute mashed black beans or white beans for all-purpose flour in cookie, cupcake, and cookie recipes.
- Swap chips and crackers for spiced popcorn or refried peas.
7. Exchange gifts that match your goals
Instead of a simple Valentine’s Day gift, ask for something that will help you reach your fitness and nutrition goals. streaming exercise subscriptionor useful kitchen utensils.
Sure, getting a vegetable spiralizer or a pressure cooker for Valentine’s Day might sound like the most romantic gift idea ever. The roses will wilt after a week, but think you’ll be making your favorite InstantPot recipes for years to come!
8. Choose healthy desserts
If you’ve been thinking about Valentine’s Day treats since the first minute of February, you don’t have to give up sweets altogether. But ditch your usual pink confetti cups and use V-Day as an excuse to try healthy dessert recipes like chocolate-dipped strawberries or red velvet Shakeology waffles.
9. Get creative with Valentine’s Day treats for kids
Need to send kid-friendly treats to a class party? Think outside of the usual treats and instead send non-food goodies like stickers, crayons, and 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 this list should include you! Be sure to incorporate simple self-care practices into your Valentine’s Day plan, such as keeping a gratitude journal, scheduling a massage, or doing a walking meditation.
