By: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA

This Valentine’s Day, kiss goodbye to sugary sweets that are high in fat and calories and gift your loved one with health and happiness. These nutritious snacks are perfect for Valentine’s Day and can be made easily and affordably. The best part? You can find all the ingredients for these tasty recipes at your local Foodtown grocery store! Why rely on the plain old box of chocolates when you can surprise your valentine with these creative, healthy, and affordable Valentine’s Day treats?

DIY Snacks Perfect for February 14th:

Red & Pink Fruit Wands

For a vitamin-packed delectable treat that’s under 100 calories per serving, opt for these fun valentine fruit wands. They’re the perfect naturally sweet treat for classroom Valentine’s Day parties.

Ingredients:

• Paper or Wooden Skewers
• Watermelon Slices, about ½-inch thick
• About 8 Fresh Strawberries

Directions:

1. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut heart-shaped pieces of watermelon.
2. Use a sharp paring knife to remove stems from strawberries and cut heart-shaped curves.
3. Skewer each piece of fruit onto your wooden or paper skewers, alternating between watermelon and strawberry.
4. Enjoy!

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Frozen Yogurt Covered Strawberries

These delectable strawberries are protein-packed and low fat, serving as the perfect alternative to chocolate-covered strawberries.

Ingredients:

• Greek Yogurt, in your favorite flavor
• Fresh Strawberries

Directions:

1. Trim stems from each strawberry. You may leave them whole or cut in half for smaller, bite-sized pieces.
2. Dip strawberries in the Greek yogurt. If you’d like, sprinkle them in toppings, such as coconut flakes or chopped nuts. Place on a sheet of wax paper and place in your freezer.
3. Freeze for a couple hours. Eat them as a grab n’ go snack or place on a platter and serve with toothpicks.

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Frozen Banana Chocolate Chip Bites

Here’s a treat that will please each of your valentines, young and old. Creamy banana makes for an “ice cream base” that comes in at half the calories and fat. Meanwhile, the chocolate chips add a touch of indulgence.

Ingredients:

• 6 Ripe Bananas
• ¾ Cup Mini Chocolate Chips, divided

Directions:

1. Slice bananas into ½-inch slices and lay flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 1-1/2 hours.
2. Remove frozen bananas and let sit out for about 5 minutes to soften just a bit.
3. Once slightly softened, place the bananas in the food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy. Mix in ½ cup of chocolate chips with a spoon.
4. Grease a mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray or coconut oil. Fill each mold with a scoop of the banana “ice cream” until it is almost full. Sprinkle a few more mini chocolate chips over top and place in the freezer for about an hour.
5. Once firm, remove the pan from the freezer and use a knife to remove each “bite”. Stack the banana ice cream bites in a freezer-safe container with a lid, placing parchment paper between each layer of bites to keep them from sticking.
6. When ready to eat, remove bites from the freezer container and let set out for a few minutes before eating.

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Homemade Sriracha Roasted Chili Sauce

This roasted chili sauce is the perfect DIY gift for spice-loving coworkers and friends. Made with a variety of hot peppers, garlic, and apple cider vinegar, this easy-to-make sauce is loaded with immunity-boosting ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 Large Red Peppers, or three medium
• 2 Jalapenos
• 3-5 Chili Peppers
• 1 Medium Carrot
• 4 Garlic Cloves
• 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/2 – 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Cut the carrot into ½-inch sticks and steam for about 15 minutes, or until soft when poked with a fork.
2. Place each whole red pepper on a foil-lined baking sheet. Char under the broiler on medium-high, turning every few minutes to blacken all sides. Remove from oven and wrap in the foil to steam until cool enough to touch.
3. Using a new piece of foil, repeat broiler process with chilies, two garlic cloves, and carrot sticks to blacken all sides. Wrap in the foil to steam until cool enough to touch.
4. Using gloves to protect your skin, peel skins off peppers and chilies, pull out stems, and remove seeds. Then, remove gloves to peel roasted and remaining raw garlic cloves.
5. Place all of the carrot, garlic, peppers, and half the chilies into a food processor, along with any juices collected during peeling. Add half the vinegar and half the salt.
6. Puree the mixture until smooth. Add additional roasted chilies, vinegar, or salt to taste, pureeing fully until smooth.
7. Store in a clean glass jar in the refrigerator or freeze in small portions, defrosting when needed.

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Get Valentine’s Day Ready with Foodtown Supermarkets

Prepare for February 14th easily, affordably, and nutritiously, with Foodtown. Visit the Foodtown grocery store nearest you to shop for everything you need to make these healthy Valentine’s Day treats.

Shop online (available at select locations) or stop by your local Foodtown supermarket to find everything you need to make the treats above. Download our digital coupons to save with each visit!