Decadent and Delicious Heart-Healthy Chocolate to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is almost here which means hearts, love, and of course, chocolate! Did you know that over 36 million boxes of chocolate hearts are sold annually for this love-filled holiday? Chocolate became synonymous with Valentine’s Day in the 1920s when heart-shaped boxes of the decadent treat hit the market.

Valentine’s Day isn’t the only event worth celebrating during the month of February. It is also American Heart Month. It’s estimated that 1 in 3 Americans live with heart disease in the United States. While this statistic may be concerning, there are some actions that you can take to mitigate your risk of developing heart disease.

One way to reduce your risk of heart disease is through your diet. You might be surprised with some of the foods that are considered heart healthy. For example, some of that chocolate you may have gotten as a present, specifically dark chocolate, is rich in antioxidants that can help reduce blood pressure.

American Heart Month

Throughout February numerous organizations work to raise awareness of heart disease and the ways to reduce it. There are two types of risk factors that are identified as contributing to chronic disease: modifiable and non-modifiable. Non-modifiable risk factors such as age, gender, race, and family history cannot be changed. However, modifiable risk factors are those that can be changed. Here are the three main modifiable risk factors:

Smoking: It should come as no surprise that smoking is harmful to your body. Being an active smoker will increase your risk significantly of developing heart disease. The sooner you quit, the better it is for your health. There are many resources out there to help you quit, try starting with a simple google search.

Physical Activity Level: It is recommended that adults engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week. Some of these activities include dancing, tennis, biking, and even a brisk walk. It is important to always consult with a doctor before engaging in physical activity.

Diet: It is important to eat a well-balanced diet with foods from every food group. Choose a diet that emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats like poultry and fish. Try to limit saturated fats and instead choose unsaturated fats such as olive oil.

All About Chocolate

Dark chocolate is full of the antioxidant’s polyphenols, flavonols, and catechins. There are many delicious ways you can incorporate more dark chocolate into your diet. With all the chocolate you have received for Valentine’s Day, now is the perfect time to try these recipes.

Brownies: Brownies made with a majority of dark chocolate are more decadent and delicious! Some recipes can even be made without flour so that those gluten-free can enjoy them too.

Chocolate Sorbet: If you are looking for something tasty, lower in saturated fat, and refreshing, try sorbet.

Hot Chocolate: You don’t just have to eat your chocolate, you can drink it too! There is nothing better on a cold February night than a hot cup of chocolate.

Chocolate Mousse: A lighter dessert that is low in fat and sugar. You can even use Greek yogurt as the base to add more protein.

There are many wonderful resources available to assist you in finding the perfect chocolate-based recipe, such as my most recent cookbook, Enjoying Food Peace: Recipes and Intuitive Eating Wisdom to Nourish Your Body and Mind, which you can purchase here if you haven’t already.

Your Turn to Action: What is your favorite food with chocolate? Let me know in the comments below.