By Hannah Six, Novant Health Healthy Headlines
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How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Flowers, chocolates and dinner in a fancy restaurant? If the go-to traditions are losing their luster, it may be time to consider a more intimate, unique (and less expensive) option: Creating a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner where the heart is: at home.
And, speaking of hearts, taking time to cook and share a heart-healthy menu like the one below is the perfect way to show you care, according to Katrina Helcoski and Kensie Weatherstone, registered dietitians at CoreLife Novant Health in Pineville, North Carolina, who collaborated to “healthify” the following recipes.
The results — which deliver delectable flavors without excess sodium, unhealthy fats or added sugars — are guaranteed to warm (and protect!) your Valentine’s heart.
An enticing entree: Maple salmon
“This main dish is packed with protein, heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and B vitamins,” Helcoski said.
These nutrients help with overall cardiac health, while also minimizing inflammation and supporting proper functioning of the brain and central nervous system.
“Plus, not only is salmon a nutrient-dense food source, but so is maple syrup, which is great source of antioxidants!” Weatherstone added. “Just be sure to choose 100% pure maple syrup over the usual commercial brands, which will cut out a ton of added sugars.”
To make this recipe even more heart healthy, limit added sodium by:
– Using regular garlic powder instead of garlic salt.
– Substituting low-sodium soy sauce for the traditional version.
Ingredients
– 1/4 cup 100% pure maple syrup
– 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
– 1 pound salmon fillet
Directions
Combine maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl.
Divide salmon into four fillets. Place them in a shallow glass baking dish and coat evenly with the maple syrup mixture. Cover the dish and marinate salmon in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, turning once halfway through.
Preheat the oven to 400. Place the uncovered baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the salmon flakes easily with a fork (about 20 minutes).
Nutrition per serving (recipe yields 4 servings): 265 calories; 14 grams carbohydrates (12 grams sugars, 0 grams dietary fiber); 23 grams protein; 12 grams fat (3 grams saturated); 633 milligrams sodium.
Note: Depending on marinating time, ingredients, cooking method, etc., the actual amount of the marinade consumed will vary and may alter the final nutrition profile.
Adapted from: allrecipes.com/recipe/51283/maple-salmon/
Sautéed Spinach
“Spinach makes a perfect vegetable side-dish for this Valentine’s Day meal,” said Weatherstone. “It is full of fiber, vitamin C, iron and vitamin A, which have antioxidant properties, aid in lowering cholesterol, and support heart and eye health.”
To keep this dish as healthy as possible, she advises:
– Using only extra-virgin olive oil (“Just a little bit goes a long way!”) and eliminating the butter.
– Boosting flavor by adding your favorite low-sodium seasonings, like garlic and onion powder.
Ingredients
– 1 tablespoon butter
– 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
– 1 small shallot, chopped
– 1 ten-ounce package of baby spinach
– Salt or low-sodium seasonings
– Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Heat a large skillet. Add the olive oil (and butter, if using). Add the chopped shallot and cook about three minutes, until soft.
Add the spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the leaves are wilted. Toss in seasonings to taste, and serve warm.
Nutrition per serving (recipe yields 2 servings): 159 calories; 9 grams carbohydrates (2 grams sugar, 4 grams dietary fiber); 5 grams protein; 13 grams fat (5 grams saturated); 410 milligrams sodium.
Adapted from: foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/sauteed-spinach-recipe-1942689
…and a tantalizing treat
Frozen yogurt bark
This sweet treat is topped with almonds and fruit which are both good sources of fiber. And instead of the traditional white chocolate, this bark is made with lower-fat, high-protein Greek yogurt.
“Greek yogurt also contains probiotics, which help sustain a healthy gut,” Helcoski said. “For added antioxidants — and to make it even more decadent — we also recommend drizzling the bark with melted dark chocolate or adding dark chocolate chips.”
Helcoski also suggested the following ideas:
Experiment with various Greek yogurt brands, as their flavors can vary.
Switch up the fruit — try shredded coconut and antioxidant-rich strawberries, raspberries or pomegranate arils for a fun Valentine’s Day color scheme.
Try a variety of unsalted nuts and seeds (chopped pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, etc.). They all deliver healthy fats, but each contains slightly different nutrients.
Recipe:
– 1 1/2 cups plain, low-fat Greek yogurt
– 2 tablespoons honey or 100% pure maple syrup
– 2 tablespoons chopped, unsalted almonds
– 1/2 cup finely chopped mangoes (you can also use peaches, apricots or any favorite fruit)
– 1/2 cup blueberries
– 1/4 cup blackberries, chopped if large
Directions
Line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Combine yogurt and honey in a medium bowl with a whisk. Using a spatula or knife, spread the yogurt mixture as thinly as possible over the paper.
Sprinkle with almonds and, using your fingertips, gently press the almonds into the yogurt mixture. Sprinkle the mango, blueberries and blackberries over the bark, pressing the fruit gently into the yogurt mixture.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Freeze overnight.
To serve, remove the baking dish from the freezer. Gently lift the parchment paper from the dish and transfer to a cutting board. Using your hands, break the bark into pieces (it may help to hit it lightly on the surface of the cutting board).
It’s best to eat the bark immediately. It begins to melt 15 minutes after being removed from the freezer. Any leftover bark can be wrapped in parchment paper, put in a resealable plastic freezer bag, and frozen for up to one month.
Nutrition per serving (recipe yields 8 servings): 70 calories; 10 grams carbohydrates (9 grams sugars, 1 gram dietary fiber); 4 grams protein; 2 grams fat (0.5 grams saturated); 15 milligrams sodium.
Adapted from: recipes.heart.org/en/recipes/frozen-yogurt-bark
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