This document provides 10 tips for having a healthy Valentine's Day that focuses on heart health. The tips include cooking a romantic meal at home instead of eating out, sending a fruit basket instead of sweets, volunteering as a couple, engaging in outdoor physical activities as a date, being mindful of dietary restrictions or allergies, and using the holiday as an opportunity to support each other's overall wellness.

1. 10 Sweet Tips for a Healthy
“Valentine’s Day”

2. Saint Valentine's Day, also known as ”Valentine's Day” or the ”Feast of Saint
Valentine”, is a holiday observed on February 14th each year. It is celebrated
in many countries around the world.
It is a festival of love and many people give cards, letters, flowers or presents
to their spouse or partner.
What do people do?
Many people express their love for their partner by sending cards or letters,
giving gifts or flowers and arranging meals in restaurants. However, some
people use the occasion to present lavish gifts, such as jewelry.
Symbols
The most common Valentine's Day symbols are the heart, particularly in reds
and pinks, and pictures or models of Cupid. Cupid is usually portrayed as a
small winged figure with a bow and arrow.
Valentine’s Day

3.  On February 14, millions of people will have a romantic day packed
with food that's no good for their heart, followed by heart-shaped boxes
of candy and chocolate.
 But, instead of supplying your sweetheart with unhealthy gifts this
Valentine’s Day, why not tend to their actual heart?
 There is possibly no better way to honor your commitment to someone
than doing something that adds to a long, happy, and healthy life.
 Your sweetheart may have the key to your heart, but a proper diet and
regular physical activity can be the key to a healthy heart. This
Valentine’s Day, indulge your sweetheart with a heart-healthy gift or
date.
 Here are 10 ways to show your care about your loved one's heart.
Healthy Valentine’s Day

4. Use this day as an opportunity to tell your loved one how you feel about him
or her, and share ways that you can support each other’s health and
wellness.
How to express your feelings:
1. Pay him or her a compliment.
2. Express consideration.
3. Say “I Love You”.
4.Write a nice letter.
5.Make eye contact.
6.Show your feelings through your actions.
1. Express Yourself

5.  Plan a romantic dinner at home. Better yet, cook the meal together!
Most restaurants will be crowded, expensive, and unhealthy. Choose a
meal you will both enjoy.
 Enjoy your heart-healthy meal by candlelight and enjoy some quality
alone time.
 Prepare a romantic candlelight dinner at home using one of our heart-
healthy recipes
 Cooking at home is an excellent way to control the quality and
amounts of what you eat.
2. Set a “table for two”

6. Consider making a healthy meal for Valentine’s Day. Serve food lower in salt
and fat content, provide more fruits and vegetables, and make less sugary
sweets for an overall healthy Valentine’s Day.
Consume Less Sodium
Healthy Recipes
Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight
Nutrition for Everyone
3. Be Food Conscious

7.  Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to do something sweet for your partner,
both in sentiment and with a delicious dessert. Instead of candy or a treat
that is a “heart attack on a plate”, give your partner a fruit basket and
share it over dark chocolate.
 Share you appreciation, love, and support for your partner while
enjoying this healthier, yet delicious treat.
4. Do Something Sweet

8.  Send a fruit basket to your loved one that has natural sugar as well as
healthy nutrients instead of sending sweets with added sugars.
 Most of these candies are chock-full of preservatives, trans fat and
chemical additives.
 try making your own chocolates using baker’s chocolate, or even dark
chocolate, and heart shaped chocolate molds.
5. Less Sugar &
Chocolates

9.  Give to one another by giving back.
 Ask a date to volunteer with you at a local charity.
Volunteering is one of the best ways to recognize and appreciate the gifts
in your own life.
 Giving back is a healthy habit that will boost your mood and beat stress.
Not to mention you are making the day special for someone else in need.
6. Give the Gift of
Giving Back

10.  If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. Excessive alcohol use has
immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health
conditions.
 It is also the third leading cause of preventable death.
 Don't drink and drive or let others drink and drive. Women who are
pregnant or trying to become pregnant should not drink any alcohol.
7. Be Sensible

11. Make A Date With Your Heart! February is American Heart Month, and
Valentine's Day is a great time to start taking steps to be heart-healthy.
Prevent and control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
Limit alcohol use.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Be active.
Eat healthy
8. Be Heart-Healthy

12. Quality time is one of the most meaningful gifts.
If you live in a warmer climate, plan an outdoor date that will keep you
active. Think outside the box and take your loved one on a nature hike that
ends with a healthy picnic.
In colder weather, look for indoor activities that will get the blood flowing
and the heart pumping. Think of activities like ice-skating, a trip to a local
museum (lots of walking), a cooking class (cooking burns calories), or an
indoor sports complex that offers rock climbing and other activities.
Either way, you will have a great time together, and you just might burn a
few extra calories.
9. Gift a Quality Time

13. Consider that your valentine may have allergies, asthma, diabetes, or other
health conditions. You can be sensitive to your valentine by finding out if
certain foods, flowers, pets, stuffed animals, or anything else might affect his
or her health.
Asthma and Allergies
Take Charge of Your Diabetes
Healthy Pets, Healthy People
10. Be Sensitive