Food Q&A: Valentine’s Day Chocolates (To Give or Not To Give)

In our Q&A series, WeightWatchers.com nutritionist and recipe editor Leslie Fink, MS, RD, answers readers' questions about food, nutrition and weight loss.

Q: I don't want to give out big, fattening boxes of chocolate on February 14th. What are some waistline-friendly Valentine's Day treats?

A: Ah, those huge, heart-shaped boxes brimming with chocolates. A grand way to say I love you, but definitely not the only way.

The key component is the size of the box of chocolates. Many smaller boxes are available if you want to stick with tradition; I recall once getting a tiny pink heart containing two (yes, two) delicious, bite-size morsels. Couple that with a big bouquet of flowers for lots of love.

Alternatively you could present someone with her favorite candy bar (guaranteed portion control) wrapped up in red-heart wrapping paper. Or get creative and bake up your own light treats. Try our rich Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge or our crispy Mini Chocolate-Chip Cookies. Place a few of either in colored cellophane and tie them up with a red velvet bow.

For non-chocolate ways to say you care, try a fruit basket, a three-month membership in a fruit-of-the-month club, a basket of gourmet salsas and marinades, a Weight Watchers cookbook or even a series of cooking classes.

If you want to move away from food altogether, how about something "nourishing" for both body and mind? Treat someone to a few personal training sessions, a pre-paid gym membership, a pretty basket filled with scented candles and lotions, a gift certificate to treatments at a day spa or a weekend spa vacation.