Love Chocolate? 9 Recipes to Sweeten Your Valentine’s Day

Love is in the air. Whether that’s love for your partner, a long run, a rest day, or a good massage, there’s bound to be something to celebrate this Valentine’s Day. 

And what would celebrating Valentine’s Day be without some chocolate? When eating the “right” kinds of chocolate (the darker the better), you can reap all sorts of benefits for your health and your running, says Tara Whiton, M.S., EP-C, who does marketing and social media for Fleet Feet Running in Maine and is a coach for The Sustainable Athlete.

This Valentine’s Day, take a page (or several) out of these cookbooks for sweet chocolate treats that are good for your heart. 

If you’re sneaking out early to run long or race and get back before your significant other gets out of bed this Valentine’s Day, good for you! Top off a satisfying morning with a Chocolate-Espresso Smoothie to rehydrate, refuel, and satisfy. And then shower and get back into bed. 

“Chocolate may be more enjoyable right after a run, especially in a smoothie,” says Whiton.

The Benefits of Pea Protein for Runners recipes for cocoa cookies or caramelized nuts and nibs—guaranteed to satisfy your chocolate craving. 

“Just remember to make chocolate fit into your daily meal plan,” says Whiton. “Chocolate is dense in calories so the calories, fat, and sugar should fit into your daily needs.”