Healthy Heart Valentine’s Day Dessert Table

Sugar overload on any holiday is easy, but Valentine’s Day is one that is particularly heavy on sweets and giant heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. On top of being the month of love, February is also American Heart Month—so what better way to show your tiny tots you love them than by showing them desserts can be tasty and healthy?

Some great options to get your desserts healthy:

Fruit on a stick: Cookie cutters can be used to make all sizes and shapes, and when it comes to kid food, everything is more fun when you put it on a stick.

Artistic apples: Carve a little picture into the skin of an apple and douse with lemon juice to keep from browning.

Dark chocolate-drizzled rice cakes: You can buy these at the store; they’re much better for you than a cookie, and you still get the crunch and chocolate cravings satisfied.

Yogurt parfaits: Mix up some yummy berries, and layer with granola and plain yogurt for a yummy treat.

High-fiber cereal: Make this a treat by serving it in a creative way, like out of a cone or small box. Mix with dried cranberries or raisins for a little more interest. Quaker just came out with a cereal, Whole Hearts, shaped like hearts that is packed with fiber and protein; it makes for a great little snack food addition to the dessert table.

Dark chocolate-dipped strawberries: Decadent yet good for you, dark chocolate has less sugar and is known for its health benefits in small quantities, like in a thin coating on a sweet, ripe strawberry.

Fruit smoothies: Throw whole fruit, yogurt, OJ and some ice in the blender and puree. Serve out of decorated bottles to make it fancy.

So be creative, and look for some healthier alternatives to the typical Valentine’s sweets this year to grow healthy little hearts!