15 Healthy Date Night Ideas That Don't Break the Bank
By Alexandria “Alix” Best, founder and head coach of The Swole Kitchen · Certified Nutritionist · B.S. Public Health · Precision Nutrition certified
Date night does not have to mean a three-course dinner, two cocktails and a vague feeling that you just undid your week. If you and your partner are both working on your health, or one of you is, some of the best dates get you moving, cost little and leave you feeling better the next morning.
Here are 15 active, budget-friendly date ideas, plus a simple game plan for the nights you do go out to eat.
Key takeaways
- Active dates count as quality time and movement. A hike, a bike ride or a dance class gets you talking and adds to your daily steps.
- Most good dates are cheap or free. Walks, picnics, cooking together and park days cost little.
- Dinner dates can fit your goals. Look at the menu ahead, order protein first and share dessert.
- Decide on drinks before you go. Alcohol adds calories quickly and tends to change what you eat afterward.
15 healthy date night ideas
| Date idea | Activity level | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset hike or long walk on a new trail | Moderate | Free |
| Bike ride or rented e-bikes around town | Moderate | Free to $ |
| Paddleboarding or kayaking | Moderate | $ to $$ |
| Dance class (salsa, swing, line dancing) | Moderate | $ |
| Rock climbing or bouldering gym | High | $$ |
| Roller skating or ice skating | Moderate | $ |
| Driving range, mini golf or batting cages | Light | $ |
| Axe throwing or archery | Light | $$ |
| Train for a 5K or fun run together | Moderate to high | $ |
| Partner workout at home or the gym | Moderate to high | Free |
| Farmers market, then cook dinner together | Light | $ |
| U-pick farm for berries or apples | Light | $ |
| Picnic at a park or lake | Light | $ |
| Walk the dog on a new route or at a new park | Light | Free |
| Zoo, botanical garden or museum on foot | Light | $ to $$ |
Make it a little more fun
- Keep it non-competitive. If one of you is fitter, match the slower pace. The point is time together, not a race.
- Add a scavenger hunt or a challenge. Find five things on a hike, try a new class neither of you has done, or rate every taco on the farmers market walk.
- Make it a group date. Any of these work with other couples, and a hike or a dance class gets more fun with a crowd.
- Bring the kids. Parks, skating, berry picking and the zoo all work as family dates.
How to eat well on a dinner date
Going out to eat is still one of the best dates there is. You do not have to skip it, and you do not have to order a plain salad. A few simple habits keep it in your plan:
- Check the menu before you go. Pick your order ahead of time so you can focus on your date, not the menu.
- Do not show up starving. Eat normal, protein-forward meals earlier in the day instead of saving everything for dinner.
- Order protein first. Grilled, roasted or seared, with vegetables and one carb you really want.
- Ask for sauces and dressings on the side. They are where most of the hidden calories are.
- Share an appetizer or dessert. You get the experience with half the portion.
- Plan your drinks. A standard drink has about 14 grams of alcohol, which is about 100 calories before mixers. Pick your number ahead of time and alternate with water.
For cuisine-by-cuisine ordering tips and how to log a restaurant meal, read how to eat healthy when eating out. If date nights tend to stretch into a whole weekend off plan, see weekend overeating. And if a big dinner leaves you feeling like you blew it, the all-or-nothing mentality is worth a read. One meal never decides your progress.
If you want help fitting date nights and social plans into your nutrition, I coach every client 1:1, and you can book a free consult to talk it through.
Frequently asked questions
What are some healthy date night ideas?
Healthy date night ideas include a sunset hike, a bike ride, a dance class, paddleboarding, a climbing gym, roller or ice skating, and cooking dinner together after a trip to the farmers market. They combine time together with movement, and most are inexpensive. If you prefer a dinner date, look at the menu ahead of time, order protein first, and share dessert.
What are cheap date night ideas?
Some of the best cheap date nights are free or close to it: a hike or long walk on a new trail, a picnic at a park or lake, walking the dog somewhere new, a partner workout, or shopping a farmers market and cooking together. Mini golf, the driving range, skating rinks and u-pick farms are also low-cost and get you moving.
How do I eat healthy on a dinner date?
Look at the menu before you go and choose your order ahead of time. Eat normally earlier in the day so you do not arrive starving, then order a grilled or roasted protein with vegetables and one carb you want. Ask for sauces on the side, share an appetizer or dessert, and decide how many drinks you will have before you arrive.
Sources
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. What is a standard drink?
This article is for education and is not medical advice.
About the coach
Alexandria “Alix” Best founded The Swole Kitchen and coaches every client personally. She is a certified nutritionist with a B.S. in Public Health and Precision Nutrition certification, and has coached 1:1 nutrition and training for more than ten years. More about Alix