Customers and staff at the Market Place on Church Street were presented with free Valentine’s Day desserts yesterday.

Representatives from the Department of Health and the Pivio Lifestyle Medicine Programme showed how to make healthy desserts and let the audience sample the creations during the event inside the store.

The health department introduced Pivio, which promotes a healthy lifestyle through plant-based nutrition, stress reduction, physical activity, mindfulness training and positive psychology, last summer and launched this year’s programme yesterday.

David Kendell, director of the department of health, said: “We wanted to kick-start the conversation in a fun and loving manner and with healthy desserts.”

Naji Bean, a second-year culinary student at the Bermuda College, guided onlookers through three delectable dishes, which can all be made in a few minutes.

Mr Bean, 19, first made a smoothie with mixed berries, oat milk and vanilla extract.

He then wowed the crowd with his personal favourite dish -- a banana and strawberry sorbet, which was also made using oat milk.

Nutritionist Cymone Hollis, who spoke to The Royal Gazette this week, highlighted how using frozen bananas would give this dessert its proper consistency.

The final dish of the day was a chocolate mousse made with silken tofu and dates.

Helene Romaine, Mr Bean’s grandmother, could not choose a favourite dish, but said she looked forward to her grandson making all of them for her.

Mr Bean hoped yesterday’s demonstration proved that healthy food could taste good.

He said: “You can eat your favourite desserts, meals and dishes without having such high cholesterol, sugars and salt.”

According to Ms Hollis, eating and living healthy does not have to be expensive.

She said: “Many people think that fruits and vegetables come at a high cost but they do not always have to buy fresh. They can choose frozen, dried or canned in its own juice, which is just as nutritious or sometimes even more so than fresh options.”

People can learn more about the Pivio programme during a virtual information session, which will be held today via the department of health’s Facebook page at 5.30pm.

Additional information sessions will be held on February 20, 22 and 27.

The nine-week programme will be held online beginning on March 21, but some in-person activities are planned during that period.

Registration runs through February 29, and the programme costs $200. Contact nutrition@gov.bm or 278-6469 for more information.