Valentine's Day is no excuse to dump employee wellness programs' diet

2/9/2012

Couples who celebrate Valentine's Day may want to engage in fun and intimate activities. However tempting it is to overindulge on this special day, it's no excuse to forget all about the dietary advice that workers learn from their employee wellness programs, according to a dietitian from Loyola University Health System.

"Valentine's Day stirs up lots of emotions and anxiety," said Cristina Harder, a registered and licensed dietitian. "But there are ways you can keep yourself in check and still make it through the holiday without ruining your healthy eating plan."

Instead of eating, couples can spend their time trying out a new activity, such as volunteer work or a group fitness class.

If a romantic meal is still important on this occasion, people may have better luck sticking to their lifestyle management plans by cooking at home instead of dining out. This way, they can save money and control their portion sizes and caloric intake.

Although it's best to stay away from sweets, smaller amounts may not hurt. Harder recommends allowing oneself to enjoy 100 calories.

However, if anyone goes overboard on that day, they should be sure to get back on track with their health regimen as soon as possible, Harder said.

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