Long stem roses and chocolates are traditional Valentine’s Day gifts. But this year, show your love with a nutritious, heart healthy gift. Here are gift ideas that are sure to make your Valentine smile.
Fresh fruit bouquet
Make your own fruit bouquet by using wooden skewers and a variety of bite-sized fresh fruit such as cantaloupe, honeydew, grapes, pineapple and strawberries. Thread the fruit on the skewers and tie the “stems” with a beautiful red ribbon. Keep this nutritious and delicious bouquet in the fridge until you’re ready to surprise your Valentine.
Heart healthy trail mix
In a small bowl, mix lower sodium pretzels, air popped popcorn, and whole grain cereal. Toss in fibre-rich dried cranberries, dried strawberries, dried cherries, and a handful of unsalted red shelled pistachio nuts. Pour the trail mix into a clear jar and add a bright red bow on top.
Hug in a mug
Fill a red or pink coloured mug with hot chocolate. Make it nutritious by using skim or 1% milk, or fortified plant-based beverage. Add a few mini marshmallows for fun and enjoy some snuggle time together.
Chef for a day
Give your sweetheart a new cookbook. Wrap the book in pink tissue paper and attach a red coloured spatula. Top it off with a hand-written coupon promising that you will make dinner next week - and your Valentine gets to choose the recipe!
Fun food ideas to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the kids
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Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out their toast, grilled cheese or tuna salad sandwiches.
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Make a heart-shaped pizza on whole grain crust. Use pink and red coloured toppings like tomatoes, red peppers and ham.
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Share a home-made pink-coloured smoothie. Mix strawberry flavoured yogurt with frozen strawberries and raspberries and a teaspoon of ground flaxseed. Pour the smoothie into a tall glass, pop in two straws, and enjoy. Think of different red coloured foods and taste test them if possible. Try red bell peppers, red kidney beans, grape tomatoes, red lentils, red cabbage, beets, red Swiss chard, red skinned potatoes and red apples. Can you think of any others?
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Enjoy red and pink recipes like these homemade pink-coloured Coconut Yogurt Ice Pops or this tasty Beet and Barley Salad.
- Get the kids in the kitchen and have fun making these Soft Oatmeal Raisin Delight cookies. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make them special. Or give these Midnight Coconut Lentil Fudge Bars a try. Top them with pink and red sprinkles.
How can a dietitian help?
Dietitians can support you throughout many phases of your life from pregnancy to eating well when you are older. Counselling sessions with a dietitian can also help you to prevent and treat health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Your dietitian will work with you to give you personalized advice that meets your lifestyle and goals. Connect with a dietitian today!
Bottom line
There are many nutritious food themed gift ideas to choose from to help celebrate Valentine’s Day. From fruit bouquets to homemade trail mix, your Valentine will love these gifts
You may also be interested in:
Easy Meals for Great Leftovers e-Book
Recipe Makeover: Reducing Sugar in the Kitchen
Tips for Eating Out With Kids
Top 5 Reasons to See a Dietitian
This article was written and reviewed by dietitians from Dietitians of Canada. The advice in this article is intended as general information and should not replace advice given by your dietitian or healthcare provider.
Last Update – February 19, 2023