Healthy Valentines Day Food For The Heart

Cooking dinner for your beloved is one of the most popular Valentine’s traditions for couples. But if you are the health-conscious type, you might want something better than the usual fare. So, here are some healthy Valentines Day food that you can whip up for your dinner date.

Healthy Valentines Day Food No. 1: Whole Wheat Pancakes

Before you even start thinking about what to cook for your Valentine’s dinner, it will be fun to greet your beloved with a healthy breakfast in bed. This pancake recipe is a great option for that. Since you are using whole wheat flour, you get a lot of fiber. This is great for lowering blood cholesterol and lessening the risk of heart diseases. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• A cup buttermilk
• An egg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Steps

1. Put the whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Mix until thoroughly blended. 
2. In another bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter.
3. Whisk the wet and dry ingredients together just until they are barely combined. You want to get a fairly lumpy mixture with most of the flour stirred in. 
4. Preheat a non-stick griddle to around 190 degrees Celsius and grease the surface with butter. 
5. Put small scoops of batter on the griddle. Use the backside of a spoon to gently flatten the scoops into a circle. 
6. Cook for a few minutes until you see small bubbles forming at the top of the pancakes. 
7. Flip the pancakes and cook the other side for 2 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown. 
8. Serve with your choice of toppings 

Healthy Valentines Day Food no. 2: Roasted Red Peppers and Tomato Pasta

Pasta dishes are some of the stapes of any Valentine’s dinner. This simple roasted pepper and tomato sauce adds a bit of a spicy flavor and aroma that you will like. And of course, red bell peppers are a good source of different vitamins like A and C. This works well with the nutrients found in tomatoes. 

Ingredients

• 4-5 large tomatoes
• 2 red bell peppers
• 250 grams dry whole wheat pasta
• 1 red onion
• A clove of garlic
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to around 180 degrees Celsius. 
2. Chop the tomatoes, red bell peppers, and red onions into 1-inch chunks. Lay them flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 
3. Roast the vegetables for 25 minutes or until they are soft. 
4. Put the roasted vegetables into a blender. Add the garlic cloves and balsamic vinegar. Blend until smooth. 
5. Cook your pasta in a pot according to the directions. Drain and add back to the pot. Add the pepper tomato sauce and cook until hot. 
6. Serve either plain or with your preferred garnishes. 

.Healthy Valentines Food no. 3: Spinach-Stuffed Chicken

For your Valentine’s dinner main course, chicken is always a good pick. It has lower saturated fat content than pork. And with the right kind of ingredients, you can turn it into a healthy dish. This particular recipe features a spinach stuffing, which adds plenty of antioxidants and other nutrients. 

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 ½ cups chopped fresh spinach
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
• A teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to around 190 degrees Celsius. 
2. Place the chicken on a cutting board. Lightly drizzle with oil. 
3. In a small bowl, mix the paprika, ½ teaspoon of salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until everything is combined. 
4. Sprinkle the mix on the chicken pieces, making sure to cover both sides evenly. 
5. Cut into the side of each chicken to make a pocket. Set the pieces aside. 
6. Put the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan, spinach, remaining salt, garlic, and red pepper in another bowl. Stir well to combine. 
7. Spoon the spinach mixture into the pocket of each chicken piece. 
8. Place the chicken on a large baking dish. Bake uncovered for around 20-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked thoroughly. 

Healthy Valentines Food no., 4: Ultimate Keto Chocolate Brownies

Chocolate is arguably the most recognizable Valentine’s food. And it isn’t just a sweet delicacy. There is already a lot of research highlighting the health benefits of chocolates, which sweets-loving couples will appreciate. But if you still feel a bit guilty about taking a bite out of a chocolate brownie, this recipe works well with your diet. 

Ingredients

• 100 grams dark chocolate
• 1/4 cup butter or extra virgin coconut oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 large ripe avocado
• 1/4 cup coconut milk or heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/2 cups almond flour 
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup cacao powder unsweetened
• 3/4 cup healthy low-carb sweetener
• 2 tsp gluten-free baking powder (you can make your own)
• 1/4 – 1/2 tsp sea salt

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 175 degrees Celsius. 
2. Break the chocolate into smaller pieces. 
3. Place a bowl on top of a pot containing water. Bring the water to a boil. Turn down to low heat and make sure the water doesn’t touch the bowl. 
4. Break the chocolate into pieces and place it in the bowl. Add the butter and let it melt from the heat. Stir occasionally. 
5. Whisk the eggs in a bowl or use a hand mixer. Add the artificial sweetener and mix everything until well-combined. 
6. Halve the avocado and remove the seed. Scoop the flesh using a spoon. 
7. Put the avocado flesh into a blender and add the coconut. Blend until smooth. 
8. Pour the avocado into the egg mixture and process with a hand mixer to blend thoroughly. 
9. Add the chocolate mixture and process further until you get a creamy mixture. 
10. Mix all the remaining dry ingredients. Add to the wet batter and process until everything is combined. 
11. Place the dough into a baking pan and use a spatula to flatten the top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until set. 
12. Remove from the oven and let the brownie cool for a few minutes. Cut into squares and top with whipped cream or your desired toppings. 

Show Your Love With These Healthy Valentine’s Date Recipes

Each Valentines Day food here is not just tasty. They are also healthier options you and your love will enjoy on this special day. And with your spin, you can make them even more irresistible. Try them out and have a wonderful dinner date.