7 Healthy Valentine's Day Treats That Won't Ruin Your Diet ...

There are tons of dark chocolate varieties out there to choose from, but if you want to know the best healthy Valentine’s Day treats to choose from, go with the really dark varieties. Dark chocolate that contains no refined sugar and contains at least 85% cacao content is what we’re talking about here. That’s the good stuff! Also, choose an organic brand whenever possible, which means it is most likely better quality, and the sugar comes from a less refined source like coconut sugar. The best bet is to choose 100% dark chocolate if you can take the strong taste. It’s actually my favorite, and if you need a couple suggestions for good brands, check out Sunspire and Ghirardelli, which are amazing choices!

Almost everyone serves strawberries for a Valentine’s Day breakfast. After all, the color is festive and they resemble the shape of a heart, so they make a nice presentation whenever they are served. Lucky for you, they’re also fantastic for you! Strawberries are lower in sugar than any other common North American berry, and they contain a large amount of Vitamin C per serving. Eat these until your heart’s content!

Mint flavored candies are another popular treat that you’ll find at Valentine’s Day, however, I do recommend staying away from the York Peppermint Patties and Andes mints and going for a more natural option. Instead of choosing the refined stuff, opt to enjoy mint in its most natural form, which is through whole mint leaves. You can make a tea to steep these with for a mood-boosting tea, or you can throw them in a morning smoothie for a minty smoothie first thing in the day. Mint is known to be an aphrodisiac, anti-anxiety agent and also a digestive aid, as a bonus.

I’m not a fan of these little critters, but if you are, good news! This popular Valentine’s Day dinner treat is actually incredibly healthy for you. As a bonus, it’s an aphrodisiac and high in zinc, protein and low in calories.

Red wine is a popular Valentine’s Day treat for many people to enjoy during dinner. I don’t promote consuming a lot of alcohol, or any, on a regular basis, yet for Valentine’s Day, it’s a healthy choice if you do drink. So long as you drink it in moderation, it's the best choice you can make in terms of alcohol consumption on a holiday. Red wine is low in sugar and full of antioxidants that have been proven to reduce blood pressure, and it has been linked to anti-aging benefits.

One of my favorite healthy treats to make on Valentine’s Day are little raw truffles made from nuts, seeds and cacao nibs. Nuts are fantastic for you, and you can get the benefits of them in so many ways. Instead of opting for those nut clusters in the assorted candy box, how about enjoying some raw nut butter on a square of dark chocolate? Or make a truffle like I do by simply using raw nuts and seeds of your choice, cacao nibs, a bit of dried fruit, stevia, water and coconut shreds.

If you like chocolate, I’ve definitely got you covered! Chocolate mousse is a popular dessert served on Valentine’s Day. Though most varieties are actually low in fat, they’re high in sugar. Skip the restauarant varities and enjoy this easy homemade version instead. Just blend 3 tbsp. raw cacao powder with ½ a banana, some stevia, ¼ cup almond milk, vanilla extract and ¼ of an avocado. Trust me, the ingredients sound strange but make the most delicious healthy chocolate mousse you’ve ever had in your life!

Valentine’s Day is the day for love and enjoying food with the people you love, but it doesn’t mean you have to ruin your healthy eating routine either. Do you have a suggestion for a healthy Valentine's Day treat?