9 Candy-free Ideas for Valentine's Day

Looking for Valentine's Day treats can be a heart-stopping experience. Think outside the heart-shaped box and use the holiday as a time to learn about healthy snacking.

These Valentine's Day party treats feature choices offering nutrients from low-fat dairy, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, many of which can even be assembled in the classroom.

1. Send a Message
   Using a felt-tipped marker, write fun messages on the peels of clementines ("Hi, Cutie!") or bananas ("I'm bananas for you!").
2. Strawberries on Cloud Nine
   Strawberries, a naturally healthy treat, provide dietary fiber and are rich in vitamin C. Serve them with a small dollop of whipped cream or yogurt.
3. Red Salsa
   Let kids make their own snack plates with cut up vegetables, whole-grain pita chips or crackers and low-fat cheese cubes to dip into tomato salsa.
4. Banana Split Love Boats
   Split a peeled banana down the middle and top with low-fat vanilla Greek yogurt and sliced heart-shaped fruit.
5. Pink Milk
   Blend strawberries and low-fat milk for a delicious protein-packed, naturally sweet drink.
6. Heart-Shaped Sandwiches
   Use a cookie cutter to turn a nut butter and jelly sandwich on whole-wheat bread into a heart-shaped Valentine.
7. Red Fruit and Yogurt Dip
   Celebrate with fruits that are red, the unofficial color of Valentine's Day: apples, blood oranges, grape tomatoes, red grapes and red peppers. For a sweet dip, mix cinnamon and low-fat vanilla yogurt.
8. Cupid's Smoothie
   Before the party starts, blend cranberry or pomegranate juice with low-fat milk, bananas and canned pineapple to make a naturally sweet and pink colored beverage.
9. XOXO Trail Mix
   Mix together O-shaped cereal (the Os) and pretzel sticks (the Xs) along with bright red dried cranberries and dried strawberries.

Brandi Thompson, RD, LDN, works with schools, long-term care facilities and dialysis centers in Boca Raton, Fla.