Along with flowers and jewelry, sugar is the go-to gift for Valentine's Day. Whether you are giving candy to a sweetheart or indulging your own sweet tooth, follow these tips from registered dietitian Karen Ansel, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
Steer toward chocolate
The cocoa in chocolate contains heart-healthy antioxidants called flavonols that help lower blood pressure and relax blood vessels.
Go dark...
Skip milk chocolate and pick the darkest chocolate possible to get more flavonols.
...and nutty
along with dark chocolate, treats that contains nuts tend to deliver the biggest benefits where heart health is concerned.
Control portions
Stick to one or two pieces of chocolate-max-and pay attention to serving sizes on larger bars. "Just because chocolate is good for you doesn't mean you can go hog wild, because the fat and calories will still add up," Ansel warns.
Combine chocolate and fruit
For treats that are good for your heart and better for your waistline, try melting dark chocolate and drizzling it over strawberries, pineapple, oranges, kiwis or another favorite fruit. You will get an extra dose of antioxidants that way.
Credit: amny
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