{"id":94129,"date":"2025-02-04T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/?p=94129"},"modified":"2025-02-04T15:59:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T15:59:12","slug":"what-people-eat-around-the-world-on-valentines-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/everything-else\/what-people-eat-around-the-world-on-valentines-day\/","title":{"rendered":"What People Eat Around the World on Valentine\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"502\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/what-peope-eat-drink-around-world-valentines-day-1024x643.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"What People Eat &amp; Drink Around the World on Valentine&#039;s Day | MyFitnessPal\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/what-peope-eat-drink-around-world-valentines-day-1024x643.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/what-peope-eat-drink-around-world-valentines-day-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/what-peope-eat-drink-around-world-valentines-day-768x482.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/what-peope-eat-drink-around-world-valentines-day.png 1504w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Valentine&#8217;s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world as a day to honor love and connection.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond flowers and heartfelt gestures, food plays a big part in how people enjoy this day together.<\/p>\n<p>From chocolate treats to fancy meals, different parts of the world celebrate Valentine&#8217;s Day in their own unique ways.<\/p>\n<p>This blog dives into food trends found in MyFitnessPal food log data, showing how people from different cultures celebrate love with food.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-we-collected-the-data-nbsp\"><strong>How We Collected the Data&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Our Business Intelligence team at MyFitnessPal looked at food entries from January 2020 to today.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>They focused on countries where February 14 is widely celebrated and compared food logs to regular daily entries.* This helped identify the foods that see the biggest spikes during Valentine\u2019s celebrations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Based on this data, here are the countries where we found noteworthy Valentine\u2019s Day food trends.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-people-ate-by-country-nbsp\"><strong>What People Ate By Country&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"h-united-states-sweet-treats-and-luxurious-dishes\"><strong>United States: Sweet Treats and Luxurious Dishes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AD_4nXewOQPOtsVfY-JRT0k1rWopjTSjkDgHtMn4d2fx-dohtXaDd2blQ7zaxNc-Y7TOI3ziOk8cxtoXq7MSH9LU-x90v837Y2nKIivk2I7hpaR77DBxm_DoIWOefOVDgGX_Mzn-_WZ4ew\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Unsurprisingly, U.S. Valentine&#8217;s Day food logs showed a focus on indulgence.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Chocolate-covered strawberries stole the spotlight. These beloved treats saw an astounding 4,612% spike on February 14, making them a key feature of American Valentine&#8217;s celebrations.<\/p>\n<p>Peanut butter hearts and brownie batter donuts followed, each seeing an increase of 2,400% in food logs.<\/p>\n<p>But it wasn&#8217;t just sweets that saw a rise in consumption on Valentine&#8217;s Day.<\/p>\n<p>Luxurious meals also ranked highly, particularly lobster tail dishes, which saw a surge of over 1,000% on February 14 compared to any other day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>This pricey shellfish is often considered a delicacy. It shows that Americans will indulge their loved ones on special occasions, like Valentine&#8217;s Day.<\/p>\n<p>In the U.S., heart-shaped treats are still a classic symbol of love, with items like chocolate hearts and conversation hearts also climbing the ranks.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"h-canada-a-heart-shaped-celebration\"><strong>Canada: A Heart-Shaped Celebration<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AD_4nXcKsJCj7U4eDeFtDR8nn02-wGlxfybREgDRTwguLUzKH6e7mY59kYsPex-mEAT86M2T8O2EJZRrjmSp5SB7iZwhqtKiGBWJM6p1586shMvgxff0ji1M0ZrZWh4Ohd3jEhMREo6pBw\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Canada\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day trends mirror those of its southern neighbor. Chocolate-covered strawberries led entries with a 3,418% increase on the day of love according to our data.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, many Canadians celebrated February 14 with heart-shaped sweets\u2014a timeless symbol of love and romance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>These treats are among the most logged Valentine&#8217;s Day indulgences in the country:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chocolate hearts (+3,250%)<\/li>\n<li>Cinnamon heart candies (+1,500%)<\/li>\n<li>Heart-shaped sugar cookies (+1,200%)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Lobster tails were also heavily featured. Logs for this shellfish increased over 1,000%, signifying Canadians\u2019 shared appreciation for an upscale Valentine\u2019s dinner.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"h-united-kingdom-luxurious-flavors-and-inspired-indulgences\"><strong>United Kingdom: Luxurious Flavors and Inspired Indulgences<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AD_4nXcwAWFIP4Atj4klEzUjKDSyM0rB-Qlk-7f8Dr57uo4YjubpemVi3697eemScu2XFnyYx1iSOfJnos3XSoCNR-hCEh_Tjcpx05eFSi7s-gr640lZ0Jo4dQPNIx-yy9ku0kwMJL70w\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Across the pond, the U.K. also embraces the Valentine&#8217;s Day staple of chocolate-covered strawberries, with a 3,133% increase in logs.<\/p>\n<p>But Brits also showed their love for savory indulgences, with potato Dauphinoise logging 2,675% more on Valentine&#8217;s Day.<\/p>\n<p>Like potatoes au gratin and scalloped potatoes, potato Dauphinoise is a rich, comforting side dish. It is made with sliced potatoes, cheese, and cream.<\/p>\n<p>This side is likely paired with Beef Wellington, which emerged as the top main dish, experiencing a 1,940% increase in food logs. Known for its rich, high-quality cut of beef, this dish is often reserved for special occasions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Clearly, people in the U.K. also enjoy dining in luxury on Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n<p>Other notable trends according to our data included profiterole stacks, a tower of French pastries filled with cream and covered in chocolate sauce, and the tarte au citron, a tangy lemon tart.<\/p>\n<p>These popular French and Italian desserts showcase the influence of other European cultures on Valentine&#8217;s Day celebrations in the U.K.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"h-ireland-sweet-and-health-conscious-indulgences\"><strong>Ireland: Sweet and Health-Conscious Indulgences\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AD_4nXfPADWXYD_goFnsnGAVRm7gkNoUEsI5iOIeW0HZg3GgtxHouYtwPiLugPnHYqW_XCEr3D-4jpvywqWTrCe6VC3Eqc4PvqBw1CVQK7I-x1Q_4v-RehPvzl90AjF92KXzb8yWf15n\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>In Ireland, Valentine\u2019s Day indulgences took an interesting turn, blending classic romantic favorites with modern, health-conscious treats.<\/p>\n<p>According to our data, a sweet carrot side dish stole the show, with a massive 2,550% increase in popularity on February 14.<\/p>\n<p>Still, chocolate remained a top contender. Chocolate-covered treats surged 2,200%, including chocolate-covered strawberries, which saw an 1,800% increase in food logs.<\/p>\n<p>Spicy hearts and chocolate truffles were also among the nation\u2019s favorite romantic treats.<\/p>\n<p>Surprisingly, protein-packed snacks had notable rises in popularity on Valentine&#8217;s Day, too.<\/p>\n<p>Salted caramel protein yogurt, high-protein chocolate pudding with a topping, and a peach-orange high-protein yogurt drink rose sharply. This shows a shift toward healthier indulgences.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"h-australia-modern-twist-on-a-traditional-favorite\"><strong>Australia: Modern Twist on a Traditional Favorite<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AD_4nXdlxNVlK_X89VPK0ag58csK6_nTqEeGOSnhUVnU8HvfIquF0EUixoNZ1rqoPKU5ttpdxKevmtiTXuFh-FfABm9I5OIunhbIyJWjQSF1s0BZlxarG3ILWNGFlIirCgwPuEs5B1cILg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Australia\u2019s food logging trends around Valentine&#8217;s Day were not as pronounced as in some other countries, but a couple of treats stood out as celebratory.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The top indulgent food was hot cross buns, which are spiced sweet buns that originated in the U.K.<\/p>\n<p>But this standout food had an Australian twist. These hot cross buns were filled with the caramelized flavor of Biscoff spread.<\/p>\n<p>This modern take on traditional hot cross buns saw a big jump in popularity, with a 1133% spike in logs on February 14.<\/p>\n<p>So, while Biscoff-filled hot cross buns are typically an Easter treat in Australia, they appear to have become a Valentine&#8217;s Day favorite as well.<\/p>\n<p>Also, like in other countries, chocolate-covered strawberries were a popular Valentine&#8217;s treat in Australia. Consumption on this day surged by 967%, adding a fresh touch to their romantic celebrations.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"h-south-africa-indulgent-marshmallow-treats\"><strong>South Africa: Indulgent Marshmallow Treats<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AD_4nXf4I9P8AxIPzII_5I3TV-dwtMTAgKLQEyKeWXA3P6sWWqt1a09E7-aaWazJwtHbp2QCSBLJHNGPNoNSite_-UIUuSOPZw5bSNNEVmvRsAlu6MWwlMIpp24aA5GjPFgddzU-_Cv5\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>In South Africa, marshmallow treats seem to be integral to Valentine\u2019s Day celebrations.<\/p>\n<p>Marshmallow pies took the spotlight with a 1,586% surge according to our data, making them the top logged indulgence of the day.<\/p>\n<p>Other favorites that logged a 1,000% or more increase included mallow-filled chocolate hearts and Sweetie or Cutie Pies. These &#8220;pies&#8221; are iconic desserts made of wafer, marshmallow, and chocolate.<\/p>\n<p>South Africans also embraced classic Valentine&#8217;s Day treats. These include chocolate-covered strawberries (+1,500%) and red velvet cupcakes (+824%).<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"h-italy-rich-chocolates-and-deep-fried-delights\"><strong>Italy: Rich Chocolates and Deep Fried Delights<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AD_4nXej08OOAte8jyrW7UdxWM_72mueLUbpe31d_YgkXZgT9dWR3M95nieuu2pF3Z_H6rpD6EPR9C5pWS9AEdqlNZm9tz9S3thUKVa6wCbTJzknvb99UJfHrslW2-e39YCjeDDLmiBM6A\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>In Italy, the mugcake dominated Valentine\u2019s Day celebrations. Food logs for this single-serving dessert showed an astounding 4,200% increase on this day.<\/p>\n<p>Carnival-inspired deep-fried treats were another highlight, combining festive traditions with romantic celebrations.<\/p>\n<p>These crispy confections were among the most popular indulgences:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fried chiacchiere (fried pastry strips) (+1,467%)<\/li>\n<li>Castagnole (fried dough balls) (+1,279%)<\/li>\n<li>Frappe di Carnevale (fried pastry ribbons) (+1,200%)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Classic Italian favorites also held their place. On Valentine&#8217;s Day, sanguinaccio (sweet blood chocolate pudding) was up 1,350% and Baci Perugina Fondentissimo (dark chocolate kisses) rose 1,200%.<\/p>\n<p>Chocolate appears to remain a symbol of love in Italy, along with fried pastries and rich desserts.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"h-other-notable-countries-a-z\">Other Notable Countries (A-Z)<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Algeria<\/strong>: Chocolate cr\u00e8me br\u00fbl\u00e9e (3800%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>American Samoa<\/strong>: Iced apple cake (23,200%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Argentina<\/strong>: Red velvet (1167%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Austria<\/strong>: Fine hearts (1,833%), I love Milka pralines (1,400%), Macarons (1,300%), I love Milka pralines strawberry cream (1,200%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bulgaria<\/strong>: Fine heart chocolate (3,450%), Herb-cooked ham (2,050%), Ferrero Rocher balls (1,667%), Scitec chocolate peanut (1,500%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Denmark: <\/strong>Fastelavn bun (pastry cream filled with cardamom) (2,350%), Praline nougat hearts (1,443%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Indonesia<\/strong>: Light cheesecake (1,250%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Malaysia<\/strong>: German cookies (1,050%), Luxury chocolate cake (1,050%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Netherlands<\/strong>: Hazelnut creme pralines (1,600%), Nonnevot (doughnut in the shape of a bow) (950%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>New Zealand<\/strong>: Raffaello (coconut-almond truffle) (925%), Choc cross bun block (900%), Caramel squares (880%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Norway<\/strong>: Shrovetide bun (jam-filled bun with whipped cream) (6,867%), Semla (Swedish cream bun) (4,900%), Rum cake (1,657%), Whipped cream, (1,191%), Menuett marzipan cake (1,150%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pakistan<\/strong>: Chocolate covered sweets (4,900%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Peru<\/strong>: Chardonnay wine (2,750%), Marshmallow (2,750%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Philippines<\/strong>: Toblerone (chocolate) (1,750%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Poland<\/strong>: Lindor truffle box or bag (4,900%), Wild boar (3,773%), Belgian chocolate sea shells (2,350%), Salted caramel cake (1,540%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Portugal<\/strong>: Malassadas (Portuguese doughnuts) (1,414%), I love Milka pralines (1,150%), Dark chocolate rings (1,150%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Spain<\/strong>: Cod (3,600%), White chocolate wafer bar (Bueno White) (3,100%), Carnival ears (fried pastries) (1,600%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sweden<\/strong>: Golden jelly hearts (10,150%), Lindor irresistibly smooth milk (7,750%), Red jelly hearts (7,600%), Noblesse hearts (4,050%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Switzerland<\/strong>: Pisco sour (2,233%), Chocolate heart (1,950%), Lindor milk balls (1,150%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thailand<\/strong>: Mint chocolate (2,550%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Turkey<\/strong>: Chocolate-covered strawberries (3,750%), Chocolate pretzels (1,250%), Chocolate chip mini-cookies (1,250%)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-food-a-universal-language-of-love\"><strong>Food: A Universal Language of Love<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Chocolate-covered strawberries and luxurious dinners may be popular worldwide, but Valentine\u2019s Day food traditions are as diverse as the cultures that celebrate them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>From Canada\u2019s heart-shaped confections to Italy\u2019s deep-fried desserts or the U.K.\u2019s fine dining fare, every country brings its unique flavor to the table.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>These traditions reflect each culture&#8217;s unique identity, which is shaped by lifestyle preferences and ever-changing global food trends.<\/p>\n<p>One thing is clear across cultures and countries: On Valentine&#8217;s Day, food is a universal language of love and connection, whether you prefer elegant indulgences or simple heartfelt expressions.<\/p>\n<p>Curious about what your Valentine&#8217;s Day food logs reveal about you? Start exploring and tracking through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myfitnesspal.com\/en\/\">MyFitnessPal app<\/a> today.<\/p>\n<p><em>*Note: Brazil does not celebrate Valentine&#8217;s Day on February 14; countries including India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, France, Chile, Belgium, Romania, Colombia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Morocco, Vietnam, and Hong Kong do not appear to eat differently on February 14; countries including Russia, China, Egypt, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, Ukraine, and Greece logged in their respective languages and were not translated for this article.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/valentines-day-food-around-the-world\/\">What People Eat Around the World on Valentine\u2019s Day<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\">MyFitnessPal Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ever wonder what people around the world eat to celebrate Valentine&#8217;s Day? MyFitnessPal data tells the story.<br \/>\nThe post What People Eat Around the World on Valentine\u2019s Day appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":94131,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":""},"categories":[20,1,21,22,19],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94129"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=94129"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94129\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":94139,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94129\/revisions\/94139"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/94131"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94129"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=94129"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=94129"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}