It seems we’ve only got into the swing of things following the festive season, and then Valentine’s Day is suddenly here to derail all our saintly intentions…
While love can be all kinds of wonderful, it’s not always the greatest influence on our diets. Decadent meals, a glass of something sparkling and a few more chocolates than usual all stack up, and before you know it you’ve slipped off the wagon and you’re back to square one with your New Year’s Resolutions.
Not to worry though, we don’t want the health conscious to miss out completely, DW Fitness Clubs has created some easy, healthy Valentine’s Day treats that won’t worry your waistline in the slightest.
1) Chocolate bark with benefits
Creates one large chocolate bark heart, or several smaller ones
Ingredients:
200g dark chocolate (70% or higher)
20g chopped pistachios
20g flaked almonds
10g chopped candied orange peel
Oil to grease your heart shaped cookie cutter
Method:
This recipe couldn’t be easier, and it’s a fantastic alternative to commercial chocolates which are full of sugar. By raising the cocoa levels, we keep the sugar levels down but increase the nutritional benefit. While not something you should be consuming daily, dark chocolate has been proven to be a rich source of antioxidants. It’s also known to be an aphrodisiac, so sharing this treat with your partner could even amp up your love life.
Both pistachios and almonds are known for their nutritional benefits, and are a great source of vitamins, minerals and protein. While candied orange peel isn’t quite so health conscious, a little really goes a long way, ensuring your bark is full of flavour.
2) Indulgent truffles with a protein hit
Makes 18 truffles
125g nut butter (we like peanut!)
120g ground almonds
110g honey
60g chocolate flavoured protein powder
Cocoa powder and coconut and chopped nuts to coat
Method:
Usually made with cream, butter and chocolate, truffles may taste delicious but they haven’t got much to boast in terms of nutritional benefit. Our makeover features almonds, which are well known for containing lots of healthy fats, fibre, protein, magnesium and vitamin E. Studies have also shown that they can help to keep hunger at bay, making them the perfect on-the-go snack (in moderation of course.)
Rumoured to also be an aphrodisiac, almonds may even help add a little extra spark to your Valentine’s Day celebrations.
3) Chocoholics Ice-cream sandwich ‘Brookies’
Serves 6
Ingredients for ‘Brookies’:
30g of unsweetened cocoa powder
200g of dark chocolate (at least 70%)
100g of unsalted butter
100g of natural peanut butter
1 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1 egg
1 tsp of salt
100g of sweetener
150g of wholegrain flour
Icing sugar to dust
Ingredients for Chocolate Ice-Cream filling:
1 banana
50ml of Greek yoghurt
1 tablespoon of sweetener
½ tablespoon of honey
1 heaped tablespoon of cocoa powder
Method:
There’s no doubt that this is a decadent recipe, but the health benefits of our makeover mean that you’ll be ready for your next workout as well as a little romance. The Greek yoghurt featured in the ice-cream is always a good alternative to cream. Not only is it low in saturated fats, it’s also a fantastic source of protein and calcium.
No need to choose between brownies and cookies, we’ve combined the best of both worlds with our ‘brookies.’ By cutting back the butter in the ‘brookie’ mix, it enables you to add in some natural peanut butter, which is a fantastic source of protein.
All in all, if you’re looking for the perfect Valentine’s dessert you really need look no further.
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