Healthy Valentine Sweetheart Smoothie!

Friends, Valentines day is just around the corner, actually it’s tomorrow! Growing up I loved this holiday because it meant lots of chocolate and candy from friends & my parents. Not to mention the fun Valentines day cards we got to make & pass out in the classroom. Oh to be young & free again! But now that I am older and in a relationship, V-day means so much more to me. It’s a time to celebrate our love. Call it cheesy or overrated if you want but I just love the day!

In honor of this lovely holiday I have a smoothie recipe that is perfect for the occasion and you will simply fall in love with it!

This is my Healthy Valentine Sweetheart Smoothie. If you love strawberries, raspberries and dates then you are going to LOVE this smoothie! I also threw in some walnuts for some healthy fats! Make it for yourself, your honey, kids, friends, co-workers -Whoever! You just need to make it.

Here lately I have started to sweeten by smoothies with dates. A friend was not lying when she told me they are like natures candy! Dates are high in NATURAL sugar and some people think that they are not good for them, but I am here to let you know that these sweet fruits are packed with plenty of nutrients, making them an excellent snack in moderation. Below you will find five benefits of eating dates.

In addition to tasting great, dates contain protein, vitamins, and minerals. They are also:

High in polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidant compounds that can protect the body from inflammation.
Alternative to empty-calorie sweets. Dates can satisfy a person's sweet tooth while also providing essential nutrients, such as vitamin B-6 and iron. (try it with peanut butter and it will taste just like a Resee’s says my girl Ashley lol)
High in fiber. Just ¼ of a cup of dates provides 12% of a person's daily fiber requirement. Fiber helps a person feel fuller for longer.
High in potassium. Dates are high in potassium, which is an electrolyte the body needs for good heart health. Potassium also helps to build muscle and proteins in the body.
Great for substitutions. People can replace the sugar, chocolate chips, or candies in baking recipes with dates to ensure they are eating natural sugars instead of refined sugars.

Risks and considerations

Dates have a very high sugar content relative to the rest of their nutritional value. People who are trying to manage their blood sugar, such as those with diabetes, should be mindful of their total sugar intake when consuming dates.

Eating dates in moderation is unlikely to raise a person's blood sugar excessively, even if they have diabetes.

According to one study , dates are a low glycemic index food that does not result in significant increases in blood sugar in people with or without diabetes.

Although the researchers had only a small sample size, their findings do indicate that eating dates in moderation should not dramatically impact a person's blood sugar.

If you know me – you know I am obsessed with smoothies. Honestly, if it’s healthy and its sweet I want it! But I also knew I wanted a smoothie that was festive so that’s where the raspberry and strawberries came in. Even though raspberries and strawberries aren’t in season right now, organic frozen raspberries and strawberries do just the trick. Mixed with the dates they add the perfect tartness to this smoothie. Major swoon!

5 reasons you should make this healthy Valentine Sweetheart Smoothie: