As the days count down, are you still looking for meaningful gifts for those few left on your holiday shopping list? I try to consider gifts that can make 2020 more healthy and productive. Maybe a couple of these ideas will pique your interest enough to check out further.
For the Workaholics
Air Fryer: So many of my clients and friends tell me how pleased they are with this appliance. Remember, you add no oil (some add a teaspoon or two, which is OK) and still get a crispy product. No frozen fries or chicken fingers go in here. Instead, real whole foods like sliced fresh potatoes and real chicken.
Meal Kit Delivery: This is a fun way to cook alone or with someone using fresh ingredients delivered to your door. There are so many to pick from like one of the first, Hello Fresh to the highly rated Sunbasket. Browse the menus and maybe even order a trial run for yourself before gifting.
Pressure Multi-Cooker: You know the one. They are advertised daily online or in your favorite newspaper ads. I must admit I do not have one, though have seen great results when visiting friends and family for an easy dinner. All the nutrients are contained in this pressure driven way to cook that our mothers or grandmother used to have. New recipes update the offerings. This just might have to get one!
For the Thrifty
Food Scale: Americans eat portions that could easily feed several people instead of one. Weighing your chicken breast (yes, they are huge) and fish fillet is part of meal planning. Your food cost will go down with proper measuring because now you can make a stir-fry with the leftover chicken and not overeat at the same time.
For the Creative
Plant-Based Cookbook: With so much to pick from, cookbooks make a great gift to complement the air fryer or multi-cooker but why not try a plant-based or Mediterranean cookbook. Some favorites are “Nutrition Stripped: 100 Whole Food Recipes Made Deliciously” by dietitian McKel Hill and my old standby, “Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone” by award-winning chef and author, Deborah Madison. A newer book, “Plenty More: Vibrant Vegetable Cooking from London’s Ottolenghi,” by another award-winning chef and restaurateur, Yotam Ottolenghi, has some of the most favorable vegetarian dishes ever.
For Food Fanciers
A Gift of Citrus: Each winter season my family would look forward to receiving a crate of Florida oranges from my aunt living there. We’d instantly unwrap them and slice them up. Sometimes they came with a sprig of kumquats and sometimes pink grapefruit. Rich in Vitamin C and potassium, this is a great addition to anyone’s diet.
Medjool Dates: A box of fresh medjool dates is sure to please with their natural sweetness that melt in your mouth. These are soft and creamy, not dry, and grown here in the U.S. in California. They are sometimes called the “king of dates.” Dates can be added to salads, vegetable dishes or eaten with a little goat cheese or peanut butter. Rich in Vitamin A, potassium and fiber, they add so much.
For Those Who Appreciate Homemade
Infused Olive Oil: Start with a richly colored (deep green or gold) extra virgin olive oil. When buying olive oil, the deep color reflects the natural antioxidants. That being said, your oil should come in a darkly colored bottle to protect it from the light. Check the label for one source vs. many sources. I always buy it in glass, not plastic. Then pick your favorite dried herbs. Try rosemary with thyme. Simply heat the oil and then pour into a container filled with dried herbs. If using garlic, it is best to sauté garlic in the oil for few minutes, then add more oil and simmer for 15 minutes to kill any possible botulinum spores. Turn off and let the oil cool down. Then strain and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until giving. All oils should be refrigerated and can last for 3 months.
Dark Chocolate Bark: Why not capitalize on the benefits of dark chocolate, rich in antioxidants and known to decrease blood pressure, when making a homemade gift? Simply melt the best chocolate you can find and spread out on wax paper. Sprinkle with heart-healthy nuts, seeds and dried fruits. Skip the candy peppermint pieces but you may add peppermint extract to your chocolate instead.
For Those Wishing To Be More Active
Smart Tracker: Maybe you know someone who could benefit from more exercise. You can find a variety of fitness trackers. Be sure to read the features and see what would be important. Some may thrive on the social networking features and others may want to wear it in the pool. Most models track food. It has been shown that when we monitor our physical activity and intake, we manage our weight more carefully.
Food and Exercise Journal: This is the low-tech version of a tracker but it still can be very effective. Inexpensive versions of journals containing features similar to trackers can be found in book stores and on line. Get a small version to carry with you for the best tracking.
For Your Lunch Buddy: A bento lunch box comes with multiple compartments for packing tasty lunch foods. Think bean salad, nuts, yogurt, cottage cheese, veggies, fruit and hummus. Be sure it’s BPA-free. It’s a healthy way to eat variety for more nutrition.
Mary Noon is a registered dietitian and nutritionist at Hartford Hospital.
Want even more information and personalized advice? Make an appointment with a registered dietitian. Call us at Hartford Hospital (860.972.2604) and we can tell you how.
Looking for information on surgical weight loss? Visit WhatWillYouGain.org to find a FREE community education class near you!