Sweet Treats Your Heart Will Love
If a sweet treat is the way to your heart, you shouldn’t pass it up on Valentine’s Day! Instead, try these recipes that will satisfy your sweet tooth, and benefit your heart at the same time. We’ve put together this list of CMC Nutrition-approved Valentine’s Day treats you’ll fall in love with.
Dark Chocolate Protein Hearts
The perfect treat that’ll make your heart happy! CMC Clinical Nutrition Manager, Courtney Fuller, RD LD, says, “Dark chocolate is rich in iron, magnesium, and zinc. Consuming small amounts of dark chocolate may reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and lower cholesterol levels.”
You’ll need:
- ½ cup sunbutter, unsweetened (you can substitute with natural, no sugar added peanut butter)
- 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- Flaky sea salt, to sprinkle on top
- Heart-shaped baking mold
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together the nut butter and protein powder. Scoop roughly 1 tbsp of the mixture into the heart shaped molds.
- Let the molds sit in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- When molds have set, make the chocolate coating. Add the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil into a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second intervals to prevent burning. Stir each time until the chocolate chips are melted and smooth.
- Remove the heart shaped molds from the freezer. Dip each heart into the melted chocolate mixture and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle sea salt on top, then place the chocolate hearts in the fridge to set.
- Once set, enjoy these tasty hearts with someone you love!
Peanut Butter Swirl Cups
Fuller with CMC Nutrition says this is a new favorite recipe of hers. She adds, “by making your own peanut butter cups you are controlling how much protein and added sugar is in the small bite-sized treat.”
You’ll need:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter, (Dietitian tip: Look for no added sugar nut butters to reduce the number of carbohydrates)
- ½ cup dark chocolate morsels, melted
- Heart-shaped mold (you can also use a cupcake tin or normal baking sheet)
Instructions:
- Prep baking sheet or mold. If you are using a baking sheet or cupcake tin, place cupcake liners along the sheet.
- Add melted chocolate and peanut butter into a bowl and mix. (Dietitian tip: Add more peanut butter for extra protein)
- Take roughly 1 tbsp of the mixture and pour into a heart or cupcake tin. Repeat until you are out of mixture.
- Take a fork or toothpick and swirl around the peanut butter chocolate mixture.
- Pop in the freezer for at least an hour and a half.
- Remove and enjoy!
Optional: Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of each peanut butter cup for a sweet and salty taste.
Apple Nachos for Two
Keep your valentine on their toes with this sweet take on a salty favorite. With every bite, you’ll get the crispy sweetness of a cold apple, mixed with a creamy drizzle and the crunch of dark chocolate. Not to mention, the extra serving of fruit and protein that comes with it!
You’ll need:
- 2 medium honeycrisp apples (any type of apple works)
- ¾ cup low-fat greek yogurt
- Drizzle of honey
- 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 tbsp peanut butter natural, no sugar added
- Dash of cinnamon
Instructions:
- Slice the apples
- In a small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, peanut butter and chocolate protein powder. If the mixture is thick, add in a teaspoon or two of water until it’s a consistency you can drizzle on top of the apples.
- Spread the apples along a plate. Drizzle the mixture on top of the apples.
- Top the plate of apples off with a drizzle of honey, a tbsp of dark chocolate chips and a dash of cinnamon.
- Voila! Apple nachos!
Additional toppings could include: granola, crushed almonds, coconut flakes, or an extra drizzle of nut butter.
Need More Info on Healthy Eating Habits? Contact Our Providers at Conway Medical Center
Valentine’s Day is another reminder of how important our heart-health is. Whether you are working on eating healthier for yourself or someone you love, it’s important to find ways to get creative and still enjoy food.
We understand that nutritional eating isn’t always easy, especially in today’s hectic environment where food labels can be cryptic and difficult to decipher.
That’s why we offer outpatient nutrition services for our patients who are facing challenges with healthy eating habits. We have a particular focus on those who have been prescribed a special diet by their physician.
Want to know more?
To get started, contact your primary care provider and request a referral to our program. We look forward to meeting you and starting this journey together!
