Healthy holiday gifting– dietitian picks

by Tara Sallee MS, RD, LD, Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitian

 
The holidays are a time to enjoy the season and extend appreciation for friends, family, and co-workers. This year, try taking a mindful approach to gift-giving and incorporate a healthy holiday theme. It’s the perfect way to share a gift that contributes to overall health and well-being. Here are some of Hy-Vee’s registered dietitians’ favorite healthy food-focused holiday gift ideas.
 
Mixed Nuts
Nuts are packed with protein and heart-healthy fats which make them an ideal snack to stay energized between meals. The higher fat content in nuts helps promote satiety, though it also means they are calorie dense. Sticking with a one-ounce serving will give you all the benefits without overdoing your snack. Fill a festive box or basket with mini-packages of favorites such as peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pistachios and more. Fill an attractive holiday decanter with mixed nuts for everyone to enjoy! Additionally, for people with high blood pressure, it’s beneficial to look for options that are unsalted or lightly salted.
 
Elevated Olive Oil Basket
Say “heart-healthy holidays” with a gift basket of high-quality olive oil. Graza is always fresh, never blended -- a single origin olive oil. Picked, pressed, and bottled all in the same season, the harvest date is even on the label! Include in your basket the top three varieties:

• “Sizzle” for everyday use including roasting, sauteing and marinating
• “Drizzle” extra virgin finish oil for eating (never heating)
• “Frizzle” high heat cooking oil for grilling, baking, and frying

Include convenient Graza olive oil spray along with marinated olives and crusty French bread.
 
Italian and Mediterranean-Themed Meal Prep Packs with Meatballs!
Put together an Italian-themed meal prep gift with Graza Olive Oil and include a recipe card with ingredients for Festive Marinara Meatballs (see recipe below). For a Mediterranean version, gather prepared hummus dip, pita bread, and kalamata olives to pair with Nana’s Italian Meatballs from Mulay’s. They’re ready-to-cook and free of the top nine allergens. Mulay’s products are sustainably sourced with simple ingredients and no sugar, nitrates, or preservatives. If traveling, include an ice pack to keep the meatballs at a safe temperature.
 
Popcorn
From classic favorites to unique flavor blends, popcorn has always been a pantry staple. A three-cup serving of this whole grain snack offers three to four grams of fiber which helps control appetite and plays a role in supporting stable blood sugar levels. Look for varieties with minimal butter, sugar, and sodium to maintain its nutritious profile. Popcorn that is air-popped is especially healthy as it requires no butter or oil to make. Another bonus, popcorn is naturally gluten-free! If you have celiac disease or a sensitivity to gluten, it’s still important to read the ingredient list to make sure added flavorings or processing did not introduce any allergens. Wrap up a variety pack with a festive ribbon.
 
Fruit Basket
Instead of making that forbidden fruit cake, send a seasonal fruit basket this year! Fruit is a sweet treat that’s also filled with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. For best results, look for fruits that are in season as this will help with both affordability and optimal taste. Pomegranates, apples, pears and kiwi are a handful of winter fruits that are sure to make for a colorful gift. If you’re looking to add a few tropical pieces to the basket, pineapple, mango, papaya, dragon fruit, and passion fruit all have their growing season in the southern hemisphere during our winter. Mix and match for your perfect basket!