3 Healthy Valentine’s Day Treats for Your Sweetie

Think outside the (heart-shaped) box this Valentine’s Day. If you know your sweetie is watching sugary carbs and calories, or has made a New Year's resolution to eat more healthfully and exercise, ask yourself: Is a big box of chocolates going to warm the heart?

Whether your sweetie loves sweet, salty, chocolate or all of the above, we’ve got you covered with these three better-for-you indulgences.

1. ChocZero 92% Dark Chocolate Squares or Lily's Intensely Dark Chocolate Style Bar

These are gluten-free.

For those watching their carbohydrate and sugar intake, brands like ChocZero and Lily’s offer options designed to have minimal impact on glucose levels. Each offer dark chocolate that’s as high as 92 percent cocoa for a satisfying chocolate treat with no added sugar.

Per serving: 140-160 calories and 0 grams of sugar.

2. Red Velvet Halo Top Ice Cream

This ice cream is gluten-free.

Little chunks of red velvet cake mixed through a pint of creamy Halo Top’s ice cream, this will be a hit for ice cream lovers and red velvet fans alike. Even better: Add a drizzle of our DIY “Magic Shell” chocolate (see recipe below). And here’s why we love it: Nutritionally, it has about half the calories of regular ice cream and about 75% fewer calories than ultra-premium ice cream, with an added boost of protein.

Per half-cup serving: 90 calories, 3 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 16 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams fiber, 7 grams sugar, 5 grams protein.

3. Magic Shell Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

This is vegan and gluten-free.

Super-simple with only four ingredients, these chocolate-covered strawberries are decadent, delicious, beautiful – and nutritious, too. This recipe uses coconut oil, pure dark chocolate, Swerve Sweetener and strawberries. The coating is like Magic Shell – that stuff you had when you were a kid that hardened when you poured it over ice cream. Only this is a version of Magic Shell that’s better for you.

It’s easy to make. Combine half a cup of coconut oil with one 4-ounce 100% dark chocolate bar, broken into small pieces. Heat in the microwave or on the stove, stirring until chocolate is completely melted. Gradually stir in a cup of Swerve, stirring until thoroughly dissolved. Then, drizzle over frozen strawberries and it'll harden within seconds. It’s also delicious over protein-rich low-calorie ice cream like Halo Top or Breyer's Delights, or any other type of frozen fruit. If you have any left over, store it in an airtight container and heat when ready to use it.