Valentine’s Day is around the corner!

Do you have a favorite movie for this time of year? Perhaps you commemorate the day by visiting a green space or a favorite trail, or enjoying music and art at one of Gainesville’s many charming venues.

Maybe you look forward to sharing delightful meals, themed desserts, and sweets with those closest to you.

Considering Valentine’s Day occurs during American Heart Month, it is as good a time as any to look after the heart, not only as a symbolic seat of emotion, but as a literal and critical part of one’s health.

Want to explore recipes for meals and desserts that are both tasty and healthy? Ask IFAS has publications from the UF/IFAS Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences that aim to help readers improve their relationships with sodium and sugar intake.

Ask IFAS publication FSHN20-56, “Reducing Your Risk for Heart Disease: The Power of Food,” discusses dietary- and lifestyle-related risk factors for heart disease, offers tips to help reduce the risk of heart disease, and lists several recipes as well as grocery shopping ideas for heart-healthy items. Ask IFAS publication FCS8129, “Nutrition for Health and Fitness: Sodium in Your Diet,” discusses risk factors for hypertension, estimating sodium in your diet, sources of excess sodium, food labels, and cooking with less sodium, and provides low- or reduced-sodium recipes. Ask IFAS publication FCS8840, “Reducing Your Risk for Diabetes: A Resource Guide,” gives an overview of tests for diabetes, emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, and discusses lifestyle changes that can help individuals with prediabetes lower their blood glucose. It also provides a list of helpful resources on diabetes prevention and management.

Interested in adding new recipes to your repertoire, learning more about healthy living, or choosing healthier options when dining out, not only for February 14, but throughout the year? Remember to Ask IFAS!

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