15 Healthy Valentine’s Day Desserts Your Kids (and You!) Will Love

Valentine's day is often a time for indulgence and pampering, but that doesn't mean you can't indulge in a delicious dessert that is also healthy! This time of year we’re inundated with chocolates and all sorts of sweets at the stores but with just a little planning, you can make some healthy, easy desserts at home that you and your family will love.

My boys love a good dessert…I mean, which kid doesn’t? But when shopping at the grocery store, the desserts are often full of less than desirable ingredients - preservatives, dyes, chemicals, etc.

First off, let’s get into why you should try to avoid these ingredients…

To start, many traditional sweets contain preservatives such as sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sulfur dioxide. These are used to make the sweets last longer, but they can also be toxic to your body and wreak havoc on the delicate balance of good bacterias and acid in your gut. Additionally, and most importantly, sodium benzoate is a known carcinogen…eek! You’re definitely going to want to steer clear of this additive.

Preservatives also have been linked to allergic reactions, such as asthma and skin rashes. They can cause digestive issues, including stomach cramps and bloating and persistent low-level inflammation. Furthermore, these additives can also impair digestion and the subsequent absorption of essential vitamins and minerals which can lead to deficiencies in important nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy.

As I’m sure you’ve guessed or started wondering at this point, all these additives can be found in other foods as well, not just sweets. If you’re looking to add more whole, unprocessed foods into your family’s daily nutrition, then grab my FREE 7 Day Meal Plan. This plan will jumpstart your nutrition and is sure to give you plenty of tasty options that will be free of all these chemicals, preservatives, etc.

In addition to preservatives, many traditional chocolates, candies and sweets also contain artificial dyes and colorants. These dyes and colorants can be toxic, as they are often linked to attention deficit disorders and other health issues, such as headaches and dizziness.

Finally, many traditional sweets also contain artificial flavors and sweeteners. These are used to make the treats taste better, but they can be dangerous to your health. Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, have been linked to a variety of health issues, including cancer, diabetes, and obesity. In a previous post, I give my Top 10 Tips to Prioritize Your Health which can help you start to be more aware of what you are putting in your body every day.

So what are the best alternative options?!

Either buying organic sweets that are made with little to no added ingredients or even better - making our own sweets with ingredients we can pronounce and know are healthy!

In an effort to help you avoid all these unwanted ingredients, I’ve put together a Valentine’s Day inspired dessert collection that is sure to have something for everyone! I made sure it was full of easy recipes for your family so you can even get in the kitchen and make them together! 💞

So head on over to the link, grab the recipe collection and choose your favorite…or two…or three 😉

There are plenty of healthy Valentine's Day dessert recipes that will make you feel like you're indulging without the guilt of overindulging. You’ll also feel good knowing they aren’t full of any unwanted additives and ingredients.

Wishing you health and wellness,

Ashley