Think Outside the Candy Box This Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day... the holiday of love. People everywhere take this day to express their love to others with hearts, flowers, valentines, and lots and lots of chocolate.

If you have diabetes, Valentine's Day can be a double-edged sword. Who doesn't want to give and receive a big box of chocolates? And it isn't even ordinary, everyday chocolate. It's pretty chocolate in heart shaped boxes, the kind that's so much fun. I could compose an ode of love to the Whitman's Sampler alone. How do I love thee? Let me open the box and see.

Does Valentine's Day have to be fueled by chocolate? People with diabetes and the people who love them, may have to think outside the box on celebrating this holiday.

If you're going to eat a piece of candy, chocolate isn't a bad choice. The fat in chocolate means that it's metabolized slower than other candy, which means that blood sugar won't spike as high. Although a single piece of chocolate probably isn't going to hurt anyone, it's hard to stop with just one when it's all around you.

Luckily, there are as many ways to celebrate your love as there are people who love each other. And the rest of them don't involve chocolate. Creatively showing someone that you love them is more fun anyway. Happy Valentine's Day.

Ways to celebrate Valentine's Day without eating candy...

Cook a romantic dinner with Fiona Hayes, About.com's Lowfat Cooking Guide.

• A Lowfat Valentine's Day Menu

Make a hand-made Valentine's Card - Playing with glitter and glue can be more fun than chocolate.

• Create a Valentine's Card

Or... Spend time with the one you love. It's healthier than candy and it's free.

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