Tips to avoid failing in your diet on Valentine's Day

From intimate meals to the most exuberant desserts, couples around the world celebrate their love this February 14. Valentine’s night is one of the most ideal times of the year to pamper your loved one by taking them to a restaurant, although it usually results in heavy dinners. However, a little planning and the following tips will allow you to enjoy the evening without adding inches to your waist and also stay healthy and on your Valentine’s diet.

Move the bread basket away from you

If you plan to accompany dinner with bread, take a piece and remove it from the basket at a sufficient distance from you. In the same way if you will have dinner with tortillas or biscuits. Keeping “temptation” away will prevent you from falling into it, you lose nothing by trying.

Modify the dish to your liking

Feel free to make special requests regarding the dish you are ordering. Ask the waiter, for example, if you can substitute vegetables for the French fries, or add dressing instead of sauce. Also ask if it is possible to cook it without butter, oil or salt, factors that help reduce calories. And remember: a grilled dish is usually lower in calories than fried, and baked is better than stewed.

Start healthy

Consider starting dinner with a salad or light soup instead of skipping it. This will help you satisfy your hunger before diving into a heavy main course. And in this case, one option is to share it with your partner.

Practice portion control

Remember that restaurant portions are generally larger than normal, so you can consume half of your dish and order the rest in a take-out bag and thus moderate your calorie intake while not wasting.

Avoid “garnishing” your dishes

Do not overload your food with extra supplements. When it comes to a salad, avoid overloading it with pieces of toast, butter, grated cheese, dollops of dressing, and even bacon—high-fat ingredients. Be the same rigor with other foods such as hamburgers and baked potatoes.

Think red

Red peppers, cherries, strawberries, red onions and tomatoes, to name a few examples, are essential foods in any low-calorie diet and full of vitamins, fiber, proteins and antioxidants that fight cancer and help reduce cholesterol. In addition, a daily glass of red wine helps reduce the risk of blood clots and keeps the cardiovascular system in shape. Therefore, giving up a cocktail, usually loaded with sugar, and replacing it with a glass of red wine is an excellent idea.

Exchange the chocolates for another gift

If you and your partner are on a diet to maintain or lose weight, replace the traditional gift box of chocolates with a fruit basket or cook a low-calorie dessert. A bouquet of flowers, healthy cookbooks, personal training sessions, or a gift certificate for a spa day can also make great surprises. In case the temptation is unavoidable, remember that low-calorie sweets and chocolates are available in most supermarkets.

Don’t deprive yourself completely

Valentine’s Day is a special date to laugh, have fun and indulge yourself with good food. Having a small slice of cake or a delicious dessert will not cause you to gain weight. Moderation is the key. Even if you consume a high amount of chocolates, avoid guilt: research has shown that this tasty food is full of healthy compounds and helps prevent heart disease, improve the immune system and provide a feeling of well-being.

Consider cooking a romantic dinner this year

Hosting a romantic dinner is a great way to save calories, money, and avoid crowds. Find an easy-to-prepare, carb-free meal that you can cook with and/or for your partner at home. Rent romantic movies and prepare a healthy dessert, like strawberry shortcake with your favorite sweetener, and have fun!