Loyola University Health System researchers released a list of healthy gifts to give your valentine this year.
While Valentine's Day is a day of gifts, chocolates, love and champagne, it is also a day you tend to pile on more calories by feeding on the various high-calorie food items you receive from your Valentine. This year, Loyola University Health System researchers recommend gifting healthier options to avoid any weight gain. Dark chocolates and red wine top this list of suggestions. Not only are they romantic, they are also healthy.
"Red wine and dark chocolate taste great and have heart-healthy components," said Dr. Sirna, who also is a professor of medicine at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in a press statement. "We can help fight heart disease and aging and perhaps even boost our romance for the evening by choosing our foods wisely."
The antioxidants in red wine help prevent heart disease by increasing levels of "good" cholesterol and protecting against artery damage. Dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70 percent or higher is rich in flavonoids, which help prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries. They also boosts the immune system and contains cancer-fighting enzymes.
Oatmeal is another healthy food item. It maintains the glucose level in your body, preventing it from storing fat. Also, oatmeal is very fillings, so you don't feel hungry often.
Salmon and tuna are two great omega-3 fatty acids sources. They provide good fat and proteins for the body and keep your heart healthy.
Peanut butter is another very healthy food. It provides the body with "healthy fat" and gives our body energy. This increases the metabolism, which in turn leads to faster burning of fat. Like oatmeal, peanut butter also keeps us filled for a longer time, preventing us from snacking between meals.
Raspberries, strawberries and blueberries effectively increase our fat burning abilities by increasing metabolism. They are rich in fiber too, another very beneficial ingredient for health. Fruits like papaya, apples and watermelons also keep the heart healthy.
