8 Healthy Christmas GiftsBy Wendy Benson, RD [Happy Holidays]
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 For the friend or family member who rarely enjoys a home-baked treat, cookies or squares made with little or no fat would be a thoughtful way to go. But how do we take the fat out? Simple; when fat is used in a recipe, oil or non-hydrogenated margarine is often a suitable replacement. For an intense Christmas flavour, try adding dried cranberry and orange peel to cookies or squares. what Santa would pack for… The Socially Conscious Person For the socially conscious person, Santa would donate money on their behalf to a local food bank or children’s breakfast program. International programs also need donations for basic food in refugee camps and in disaster stricken areas. what Santa would pack for… The Health Conscious Person For the person who wonders about vitamins, supplements and how to work off the pounds, go for a gift certificate for a nutrition consultation with a registered dietitian. To find a dietitian in your area, see the websites of the American Dietetic Association or Dietitians of Canada. what Santa would pack for… The Person Who Has Everything For the person who has everything, arrange a gift basket with intensely flavoured mustards, jams and jellies. Intense flavour means less salt or sugar in a meal. what Santa would pack for… The Vegetarian-To-Be For the teenager who is wondering about a vegetarian lifestyle, Becoming Vegetarian (2nd edition) by V. Melina, B. Davis and V. Harrison is a good introduction with some great recipes. One of the biggest challenges for an omnivore switching to a vegetarian diet is learning to incorporate legumes in their diet. There’s a lot more to know as well. what Santa would pack for… The Nutrition Junkie For the person who chases the latest and greatest nutrition fad, get a book that encourages healthy eating such as the Complete Food and Nutrition Guide, from the American Dietetic Association. A basic nutrition reference helps clear up common myths and encourages a pattern of healthy eating. what Santa would pack for… The Cheese Lover Believe it or not, the world is full of cheese lovers. For the person who can’t get enough cheese on a variety of foods, a cheese sampler might be just the solution. A few recipes are also helpful. _______________________________ a healthy santa To true believers, Santa may never experience this transformation in his lifestyle. However, our health is one of the most important resources we have. So treasure it all year long. Wendy Benson, RD, MPH is a Registered Nutrition Consultant in Calgary, Canada. |
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