Start with very lean beef or turkey, Ashare advises. (Check the label – ground turkey isn't always low in fat, she warns.) Or go for fish.

"For a new, healthy twist on burgers, opt for wild salmon or ahi tuna burger," says Heather Ashare, a health and wellness editor at mediarefined.com.

Another guilt-free alternative: portobello mushrooms. The hefty mushroom – easy to find in health-food markets and some supermarkets – has a meaty appearance and texture that makes it a good substitute for an all-beef patty, Stephens says.

Enjoy your burger bunless – crisp lettuce makes a great wrap – or on a thin, 100-calorie whole-grain sandwich bun.

Love the toppings? "Lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions, mustard and other veggie toppings can be added freely," Ashare says.

Try our Mediterranean Portobello Burger ^[1].

4. Get a taste of chocolate
Chocolate-covered strawberries are a romantic treat – and you can have some if you make them at home. The only difference between store-bought and a healthier version is one ingredient: sugar.

Here's how to make them:

1. Begin with fresh, ripe strawberries (or any other fruits or nuts) and pop them in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm them up.

2. Melt good-quality, unsweetened chocolate in a double boiler, whisking in a just a little cream, hot water and Stevia or Splenda to taste.

3. Remove fruit from the freezer, dip them in the chocolate (using a fork, slotted spoon or tongs), and spread on wax paper to harden.

Like many favorites, these are fine in moderation, says Joyce Houston, R.D., the former public-health nutritionist for Humboldt County, Calif. Work with a nutritionist to figure out what quantity is right for you, she says, since diabetics have varying blood-glucose responses to sweets.