It’s almost Valentine’s Day, which means a lot of men and women can expect a box of chocolates as a gift from their lovers. But that’s hardly the kind of gift someone looking to get in shape really wants to receive. So, what kind of gift should you be considering for the health-conscious Valentine? The good news is that there are a number of potential gifts that say “I love you” just as loudly and boldly as a box of rather unhealthy chocolates!
1. Strawberries
Fresh strawberries are, arguably, just as sweet and delicious as any box of chocolates. Beyond that, they’re packed with antioxidants which are great for fending off cold and flu during the long (and often sickly) winter months.
Strawberries are simply loaded with vitamin C, which has been shown to boost a person’s immunity. Just one serving of strawberries contains more than fifty milligrams of vitamin C, that’s roughly half the daily requirement for an adult.
2. Raspberries
Raspberries don’t always get a lot of press, particularly on Valentine’s Day. But they’re just as sweet and flavorful as chocolate and boast an impressive punch of antioxidants, including vitamin C, which can help fend off colds during flu season.
Raspberries also contain quercetin and gallic acid, both of which have been shown to help fight cancer and improve heart health. These crucial components of raspberries can even help fight the signs of aging – which is something any man or woman can appreciate.
3. Pineapple
If you’re looking for a sweet treat for your favorite Valentine, look past the box of fattening, high-calorie chocolates and grab a big old pineapple. Not only is pineapple almost as sweet as candy, it boasts a virtual storehouse of healthy nutrients.
Specifically, pineapple is loaded with potassium, copper, manganese, calcium, vitamin C, beta carotene, thiamin, B6, and folate. Together, these nutrients, vitamins and minerals can help you fight off colds, cancer, and heart and digestive problems.
4. Healthy Cookies
Everyone loves cookies, but no one enjoys doing endless crunches and burpees to burn them off. To have the best of both worlds (lots of cookies and few crunches), ditch the butter when preparing your cookies.
There are several ways to do this, but the most popular (and tasty!) involves replacing the butter with applesauce. Your cookies will still be sweet and delicious (you’ll still need to add sugar), but they won’t contain the oodles of saturated fat found in most baked treats. To make your cookies even healthier, add walnuts, almonds, and dried fruit, or even fresh fruit preserves.
5. Yoga Gear
Not every Valentine’s gift for your lover has to be edible. Yoga is taking the world by storm, with both men and women getting involved in this unique activity that can promote physical and mental health.
The benefits of yoga are truly endless. Expects believe the movements can improve the feel and appearance of your body, reset your mind, improve concentration, release tension associated with stress, and even promote creativity. And if your lover isn’t a big fan of yoga, they can use yoga mats, yoga balls and straps, and other gear for more traditional exercises, like push-ups and crunches.
6. Green Tea
Valentine’s Day falls smack-dab in the middle of one of the most depressing months of the year. February is drab just about everywhere, which makes it extra important to relieve stress and relax at the end of a long, hard day.
That’s why green tea might be the best non-chocolate gift for your valentine. Studies have shown that it’s full of antioxidants (which can help fight colds), fight cancer, boost feelings of happiness, and make our brains function better. Research has also shown that drinking warm green tea can release disease-fighting flavonoids.
7. Headphones
Is your Valentine struggling to relax after long and hard work days during this seemingly never-ending winter? Then you should consider walking right past the chocolates and into the electronics section, where you can find headphones.
You see, music may just be the ultimate stress reliever. Research has shown that listening to music can help us focus, figure out ways to accurately express ourselves, improve social connections, and foster creativity. Music can also give us the energy required to power through a workout, which can release endorphins and make us feel better.
8. Wearable Fitness Technology
The FitBit isn’t just about tracking how many steps you’ve taken or how many miles you’ve run today. It’s an overall activity tracker that’s designed to improve your physical and mental health – making it a much better Valentine’s Day gift than a box of chocolates.
Specifically, the FitBit is wearable technology that measures steps walked, quality of sleep, steps climbed, and other personal metrics – including calories consumed. Newer versions of the device come in multiple colors and boast week-long battery life, making them an excellent gift for the health-conscious valentine.
