photo by Congerdesign on Pixabay
by Elizabeth Meyer, LRD
Valentine’s Day is here again. Whether you love it or hate it, it showed up. Treats and all. Even if you don’t have someone gifting you your favorite goodies, the temptation is there – around every aisle – to just buy the treats for yourself! Candy and treats make us happy. I don’t want to deny myself happiness; you shouldn’t either.
So, what if you cave and buy the treats? Or someone completely spoiled you and you’re wondering how you’ll have any bit of self-control on this sugar-filled holiday? I’m here to help you sort out the health benefits of things we’re probably going to be eating.
Let’s figure out what you can do, whether you’re treating or being treated. Common Valentine’s Day treats:
- Wine. Now we know red wine has heart healthy benefits for us, it’s full of antioxidants (these basically help protect our cells from inflammation). Red wine has more of these than white. You can enjoy a glass of dark grape juice and reap the benefits as well. Wine in moderation also has a heart healthy effect. Keep in mind moderation. 1 drink per day for women, 2 for men. (You can’t bank these for the weekend and have them all at once, it just doesn’t work that way)
- Chocolate. You know I’m going to say dark chocolate. We’re back to the antioxidants and heart health on this one. The good news with dark chocolate, for me anyway, is that I won’t overeat it because I personally think milk chocolate is the only way to go! Don’t get me wrong, I’ll eat a piece, but I won’t likely go back for more.
- Steak. Yum. Maybe you’re planning a steak dinner for V Day. Iron. Protein. Zinc to help protect your immune system during this viscous cold and flu season. Not to mention yum, yum and yum. Red meat can be part of a heart healthy diet. Fire that grill up and get cooking.
- A night out. It’s good for your mental health to get a night out, maybe an adult only night out. Or a one on one night with you and a kid or all of your kids or just anyone special in your life. Relax. Unwind. Put your phone down. Discuss three good things that happened to you over the day or the week.
No matter what your plans or what you eat or what you’re spoiled with my best advice is love those around you. Enjoy their time. Let them know you love them. That’s what really matters, not how much healthy fat, or antioxidants are in your treats.
Love the ones you’re with. Love the ones you love. That’s what matters.
Meyer is a licensed registered dietitian. Her posts appear monthly on OYT.