They won’t shut up about kale, flax seeds, matcha, juicing, protein powders, superfoods, low-carb this, and clean-eating that. You listen and nod, meanwhile planning your next bacon-cheeseburger. To each her own. Wellness is big these days, so you must know at least one person who’d appreciate a Christmas gift with health in mind.
Be careful not to insinuate with your gift that your friend, family member, or spouse needs to lose weight, especially if he or she hasn’t mentioned any such health goals to you. These holiday gift ideas are best for people who make it their lifestyle to be healthy, who do it because it’s a passion or philosophy. Or maybe your loved one needs your help after a serious diagnosis. Use your discretion, for the love of all things delicious and holy.
Remember, healthy eating doesn’t have to mean tasteless, joyless eating. These are not mutually exclusive concepts, by no means. And you never know, the idea might just rub off on you. After you polish off that cheesecake of course.
Cuisinart EasyPop Hot Air Popcorn Maker, $39.95 at Sur La Table (originally $75)
Sur la Table
People who love food and strive for health know not to buy those bags of microwave popcorn. Oh, the chemicals. Your lovable health nut can pop healthier popcorn with hot air in this maker that’s easy and requires no oil. Kernels go into a popping chamber, and hot air sends as much as 10 cups of popcorn up and out the chute right into a waiting bowl. And it all takes less than three minutes. Spice it well afterward, of course.See It
Personalized Healthy Food Cookbook, $29.90 on Etsy
LaserCust/Etsy
What better way to encourage the health-focused cook than a blank cookbook emblazoned with his or her name and passion for health on the cover? The book covers are made with two layers of plywood beech veneer, with the laser-cut design on top. Inside are 50 recipe sheets with space for ingredients, instructions, and other handy cooking prompts.See It
Hydracy Fruit Infuser Water Bottle, $22.97 on Amazon
Amazon
For the friend who likes to carry around a water bottle, upgrade that healthy portable practice for her or him, and in a fancy spa-like way. This 32-ounce water bottle creates fruit-infused water, juice, iced tea, and lemonade. It’s leak-proof and BPA-free. We can taste the cucumber water now.See It
Spiralizer Tri-Blade Vegetable Slicer, $24.99 on Amazon
Amazon
This is a great tool for anyone on a low-carb, Paleo, raw, vegan, or gluten-free diet. They can make “pasta” with beets, zucchini, and squash, slice some sweet potatoes into curly fries to be bakes, plantains can transform into tortillas for huevos rancheros, and spiralize salads with nests of carrots and other vegetables.See It
GreenLife Ceramic Nonstick Cookie Sheet, $30.26 on Amazon
Amazon
This ceramic-coated pan is free from toxic chemicals and more abrasion resistant than traditional nonstick, but still releases foods effortlessly and cleans up in a snap. Made of professional-grade, heavy gauge steel, this pan also ensures even heat distribution, delivering extra-crispy results without the need for excess oil.See It
Japanese Matcha Tea Set, $42.24 on Etsy
PureChimp/Etsy
What’s the deal with this matcha wellness cult anyway? Because matcha is made from ground-up whole tea leaves, it’s a more potent source of catechins (a great antioxidant) than standard green tea, which is consumed as an infusion and the leaves discarded. Matcha could contain three times more of the EGCG catechins linked to fighting cancer, viruses, and heart disease – than other kinds of standard green tea. Matcha relaxes you while providing slow-release caffeine as well, equivalent to a cup of coffee. The gift set includes a 50-gram jar of matcha green tea powder, a handmade bamboo whisk with holder, and a measuring spoon.See It
Sistema Salad To-Go Container, $7.84 on Amazon
Target
Now here’s a way to do a lunch salad. Eating healthy on the move is easier with this container that keeps your delicate greens separate from the toppings, and the dressing separate and sealed from everything else. With the locking clips and rubberized seal, the food stays fresher longer. The BPA-free container can hold up to 4.65 cups of food.See It
Misto Brushed Aluminum Bottle Oil Sprayer, $7.49 on Amazon (originally $9.99)
Misto/Amazon
Dressed in a chic houndstooth pattern, this slim sprayer is aimed to keep its user slender too. Pour olive oil or another heart-healthy oil into the bottle and it will mist onto your salads, potatoes, and other vegetables, so that you use just enough to coat food with flavor. This sprayer keeps its user from drenching his or her food in oil, which loads on extra calories. (It also comes in a fetching crimson color.) See It
Omega Nutrition Center Juicer, $295 on Amazon
Omega/Amazon
This is a gift you give your significant other, parent, or child — or a boss you want to impress. It’s not a casual friend gift, unless you’re rolling in dough. But the Omega juicer is the best there is when it comes to cold-press juicers. You want cold-press because heat kills a lot of the nutrients you’re trying to extract in the first place. But this small appliance isn’t merely a juicer. It can make nut butters, pasta, make baby food, grind coffee and spices, whip up soy milk, juice wheatgrass, and mince herbs and garlic.See It
Some of these gifts can be useful in the recipes we suggest on our Christmas recipe page.
Related video: Healthier Versions of Your Favorite Christmas Cookies
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