KEEP YOUR V-DAY FIGURE

Happy Valentines Day, or as others might put it, “SinglesAwareness” day.  Either way, temptationwaits. You may want to give the person you love (even if it is yourself) alittle treat. That’s fine, but it doesn’t have to be loaded with sugar and fatto satisfy the need for that moment of pleasure. Let’s look at the perennialfavorite, chocolate.

Eating chocolate can elevate your mood, at least in partbecause of the pleasure of eating chocolate but the chocolate also helps todecrease feelings of hunger.

A study published in the "ASEAN Journal ofPsychiatry" in 2011 shows that chocolate increases serotonin levels and hasa positive effect on brain neurotransmitters. Subjects who ate 50 grams of darkchocolate for three days reduced their stress, anxiety and depression levelsmore than those in the control group who drank mineral water instead of eatingchocolate. I would suggest a small portion of dark chocolate AND water.

But chocolate is high in fat and calories. You should limityour intake to no more than 3 ounces each day, and cut out other treats tocompensate for the calories you gain by eating the chocolate. So what are somealternatives if you want to give the one you love something sweet but also wantto avoid the sugar high?

Here are some recommendations from the American Associationof Clinical Endocrinologists:

1. Opt for low-carb candy. Some candy makers havelow-carbohydrate versions of popular Valentine's Day gifts. Still, it's a goodidea to limit portion sizes of these candies. Although many are labeled"sugar-free," they have calories that affect blood sugar levelsdifferently.

2. Be mindful of "hidden carbs." Asidefrom sugar, ingredients that can cause blood sugar levels to rise quicklyinclude potatoes, white rice and white flour. Just because a baked good is madewith a sugar substitute doesn't mean it's an appropriate gift. Desserts thatcontain white flour, dried fruit, honey, corn syrup and agave nectar are not agood choice.

3. Be creative and cook. Instead of offering a boxof candy, one way you can show your love to a person who is to prepare ahome-cooked meal. This way you can offer them a meal that is sure to meet theirdietary needs.