Healthy Valentine’s Day Meals

Dining at a nice restaurant on Valentine’s Day is a tradition for many people, but it can also be a hassle – reservations can be hard to get, and restaurants often manage the high-volume of guests by providing a fixed price menu with limited options. This year, why not cook at home and have a more relaxing, healthier, experience? Whether you’ll be sharing a meal with your significant other, a friend, family member, or simply treating yourself, we have some ideas for healthy Valentine’s Day recipes to create your own special menu!

Breakfast

Start your day off right with one of these Valentine’s Day recipes:

Oatmeal with strawberries and dark chocolate chips: Who says you can’t have chocolate for breakfast? Treat yourself by adding a sprinkle of chips and some sliced strawberries to a bowl of heart-healthy oatmeal.
Strawberry smoothie: Add some strawberries and greek or dairy-free soy yogurt to a blender and you’ll end up with a delicious pink drink. Mix in some cocoa powder and sliced banana for a healthy breakfast that will feel like dessert!
Hearty scramble: Scramble some eggs or tofu, and combine with sauteed greens and tomatoes for another heart-healthy, nutrient-packed breakfast.

Lunch

Red is the color of the day and it stars in these healthy Valentine’s Day recipes:

Tomato soup: Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins K & C, folate, potassium, lycopene, and antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Beet & goat cheese salad: Place some red beets on a pile of greens, and add a sprinkle of goat cheese. Besides being the right color for a Valentine’s dish, beets have a lot of fiber and anti-inflammatory agents. If you need a heartier meal, add some grilled chicken and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Red pepper hummus sandwich: Spread some red pepper hummus on your favorite bread or sandwich wrap. Next, load it up with veggies for a tasty and easy meal.

Dinner

Here are three ideas for Valentine’s Day dinner recipes:

Ahi tuna bruschetta: Another great use for tomatoes is to turn them into bruschetta. Chop and mix tomatoes with basil and garlic, add a little balsamic, and serve on toasted bread drizzled with olive oil. This is a great vegetarian appetizer as is, or turn it into a meal with the addition of some Valentine-pink ahi!
Chicken breast & veggies: Grill or a bake a chicken breast and add a dash of red by serving it with roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes over rice.
Pasta with red sauce: Boil your favorite type of pasta – we suggest red lentil pasta if you really want to stick with the Valentine’s theme – then top with a fresh red tomato sauce. Skip the heavy cream and cheese to keep it heart-healthy.