No-Guilt Options for Valentine's Day Sweets

Don't make Valentine's Day another day to indulge in loads of sugar. There are plenty of 'sweets' for this mushy holiday that won't leave your stomach flabby. Check out these no-guilt sweets.

Miss. Meringue's Meringues are a lovely arrangement of chocolates that don't look like they are low on calories, but they are. These strawberry vanilla chocolate cookies are less than 20 calories a cookie, look like gourmet, and are the right colors for Valentine's day-pink and white. With a drizzle of chocolate atop these pinwheels, you won't feel guilty if you eat three or four of these little morsels.

If you check out most Hallmark stores, you will be delighted to find lollipop bouquets. They are attractive, colorful, and are less than 100 calories a pop. You can find them in an assortment of brightly colored heart shapes, packaged in the same way that flowers are. They run about $7-8 dollars, but you won't be eating the entire bouquet all in one sitting. Lollipops are just sweet enough to satisfy a sugar craving, but last long enough that you won't reach for another. These bouquets make great gifts in replacement of that over-done box of chocolates; it gets the sentiment across without the calories.

If your loved one is on a diet, than you can help by purchasing his or her favorite snacks (this is only if you are sure they won't be insulted). The Powerbar company carries Clif and Pria bars that are great tasting and function as a healthy set of vitamins and calcium. They come in loads of great flavors, and are a little less than $2.00 a bar, so you wouldn't want to buy them consistently; but they make a great healthy treat. You can also find Weight Watcher chocolates that are individually wrapped and proportioned, so you'll know just what you are eating. Choose from 8 different varieties, including caramel drops and mint patties.

For those that like baked goods, try Smart Portion muffins. They are like snack cakes that are wrapped in servings of two muffins, but have less than 150 calories for both. You can choose from chocolate, blueberry, cranberry apple, and banana. They each have 3 grams of fiber per serving and pack a great taste that is guilt-free.

And last but not least, try out the "Cookies in Bloom" company. They arrange unique bouquets of, you guessed it, cookies. Their Valentine's Day arrangements include 4-6 cookies on average. They also come in a nice arrangement with other little gifts, like stuffed animals and glitter baskets. Although these aren't low fat, there are only a few cookies in each arrangement, and so you can't over indulge like you would from a huge heart-shaped candy box. As these are unique gifts, and gourmet cookies, you will expect to pay no less than $40.00 for each choice arrangement. But where else will you find something so distinctive?

So, skip the chocolate boxes because there are better options that won't make you feel sick to your stomach on February 15th.