Good For You, Good For Two: Healthy Valentine’s Day Recipe Swaps

Valentine’s Day, the day we celebrate love and go the extra mile to make our significant other feel special. It is also one of the busiest days of the year if you work in a restaurant. The National Restaurant Association ranks Valentine’s Day the second busiest holiday for dining, just behind Mother’s Day.  

Finding a reservation or deciding on a place you both like can be difficult. Rather than dining out this Valentine’s Day, why not impress your date with your skills in the kitchen? Keep date night interesting and delicious by implementing healthy food swaps.

Healthy Valentine’s Day Meal Swaps

Below are a few ideas to help you get started on your Valentine’s Day meal. And who knows, these tips may become a regular part of your dinner rotation at home!

Add Some Color To Your Steak & Potatoes 

Potatoes are a go-to accompaniment when cooking steak, but swapping regular potatoes for  sweet potatoes doesn’t only cut down on the calories, they are higher in vitamin A and antioxidants.

Trade Starchy Spaghetti For Brown Rice Noodles 

While zoodles (zucchini noodles) continue taking the place of pasta noodles, many people find the task of spiraling a whole zucchini labor intensive. Zucchini also has high water content, which means they release a lot of water when cooked, leaving you with a soggy dish.

Don’t get us wrong, zoodles are still a great pasta alternative. However, brown rice noodles could be an easier, healthy option. They closely resemble regular spaghetti, are gluten-free, and high in fiber and protein.

Cut The Carbs In Your Risotto With Cauliflower Rice 

Risotto is an excellent, versatile date night dish. Many vegetable pairings work well in a risotto, like mushrooms and peas. Replacing Arborio rice with cauliflower rice cuts both the carbs and calories, while adding another vegetable to your plate! 

Smarter Eats 

Cooking at home allows you to control what goes into your dish and the portion size. It also keeps you from consuming too many calories. Small changes like cooking at home and making smart ingredient swaps can add up and make an overall difference in your diet.

Get some more tips on healthy recipes and popular ingredient swaps at our upcoming Facebook LIVE event: Inside the Dish with Chef Darian Bryan and expert cardiologist, Dr. Eram Chaudhry.

If you have questions about your diet, or would like to learn more about how to incorporate healthier foods into your regular recipes, schedule an appointment with one of our nutritionists today.