Five Heart-Healthy Chocolate Recipes for Valentine Week
Jan 1, 2022It is Valentine’s day, but the surprises, sweet gestures and chocolates do not have to end today! You can make the rest of the week extra special for you and your loved ones by preparing chocolatey recipes. Besides, cocoa, the key ingredient in chocolate, contains antioxidants that may provide health benefits such as lower cholesterol levels, reduced risk of cardiovascular problems and cognitive decline prevention.
The following recipes are from the American Heart Association, developed and/or reviewed by nutrition experts, so you know they are healthy and good for your heart as well.
1. Chocolate Nut Cookie in a Mug
If you want an at-home dinner date with loved ones or your significant other for Valentine’s day, this seven-step, no-sugar-added treat could be the perfect way to end your sumptuous meal. You can also choose the mug’s design based on the theme of your date. How fun!
2. Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake Dip
It’s tempting to keep eating the holiday treats. To motivate you to have healthier food choices and stay within your caloric requirements, we recommend this chocolatey yet low-calorie dip that will match your favorite fruits and veggies for an appetizer or snack.
3. Chicken Mole with Tortilla Chips
This protein-filled Mexican dish (pronounced as MOH-lay) makes a satisfying mid-week dinner. And yes, chocolate is a broth ingredient for chicken mole, but to reduce the sugar and saturated fat, we use unsweetened cocoa. This could be a frequent dish on your meal plans.
4. Chocolate Drizzled Fruit Cups with Almonds
This fiber-filled snack is ideal for sharing, so it’s nice to have it during work breaks or when you’re with loved ones. We used semi-sweet chocolate chips for the drizzle – topped with unsweetened almond – so you can easily mix and match it with any fruit combination, depending on your preference.
5. Chocolate Avocado-Chia Pudding
Who wouldn’t want a sweet and creamy healthy dessert? The good thing is, this luscious pudding is easy to make and you only need a few ingredients. It also has a lot of fiber and good fats, which may help prevent heart disease and diabetes.
Final Thoughts
Remember that the darker the chocolate, the higher the cocoa content, which may give you more health benefits. Nutrient contents may vary in commercially available chocolates, so be sure to check the labels and watch out for too much sugar and unhealthy fat. Chocolates may be a regular part of your diet if you choose the best variants and if your nutritionist or doctor approves, of course.
Source:
American Heart Association
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Harvard Health Publishing
Medical News Today
Healthline
