Lindsay Nelson, RD, LD
8 Gifts for the Health-Conscious Person
Updated: Dec 15, 2018

Are you trying to find the perfect gift for your health nut daughter-in-law or trying to think of ideas to add to your own Christmas list? Here are eight ideas that any health-conscious person will love!
(1) Step-tracking smart watches. Whether it’s a Fit Bit, Apple watch or Garmin, smart watches that track steps, sleep and heart rate can help a person stay on track with their health goals. Since getting my Fit Bit, I’m more aware of how many steps I’m getting and will go on an extra walk just to meet my 10,000 steps per day goal!
(2) Instant Pot. Instant Pots are one of the top selling kitchen appliances right now, and for good reason! A recipe that would take 4+ hours to make in a slow cooker or a Dutch oven can be cooked in just 30 minutes using the pressure cooking setting! Many of the pots have multiple features including slow cooking, steaming, rice making, etc. A busy cook’s dream!
(3) Gift certificates to a masseuse. Getting a professional massage can work out kinks, aches and pains from going to the gym or sitting all day commuting and working. Massages are also very relaxing and stress-reducing. Who doesn’t want to relax and reduce stress?
(4) Essential oil starter kit. Essential oils can be used for scents, DIY skin care products, DIY house cleaners and can be used medicinally. The perfect gift for anyone wanting to live a holistic lifestyle.
(5) Glass or stainless steel water bottles. Did you know that plastic water bottles can leach chemicals found in plastic into your water? Many water bottles are now BPA free, but there are still other chemicals found in plastic that can cause harm to our bodies. Help you loved one make the switch and buy them a glass or stainless steel water bottle.
(6) Food. Any foodie is sure to love receiving food as a gift! My family thinks I’m lame when I put food on my Christmas list but I’d rather get something I will use than another Christmas sweater that I’ll end up donating a couple of years later. I’m not talking boxes of pasta and pasta sauce; get them something that they don’t always splurge on themselves. Organic coffee and tea, fair trade dark chocolate, RX bars and high quality olive oil are some good examples.
(7) Cookbooks. Although I store most things digitally, I prefer to have a hard copy of a recipe versus looking at my phone. Every time I try to cook from a recipe on my phone something happens - the app crashes, my phone locks up, my toddler takes my phone…you get the idea. Plus, when you have a printed copy of a recipe you can make notes about what you liked about the recipe or what you might change next time you make it. I have scribbled notes all over my cookbooks and they come in very handy the next time I make that recipe! Just make sure you have a general idea of the types of food or cooking style the person likes so you aren’t later known for gifting a vegetarian with a “50 Savory Beef Recipes” cookbook.
(8) Healthy Living Magazines. There are dozens of magazines related to healthy living. Does your family member like to garden? Meditate or do yoga? Cook? There’s a magazine out there for them. Magazines are great for the person on your Christmas list who doesn’t necessarily have the time to commit to a book but has a few minutes here and there to relax and read tid bits.
Any of these gifts will help your loved one get a head start on those New Year resolutions, and for that, they’ll be thanking you all year long!