A woman holds a red gift box with white ribbon on it and smiles.
Your ability to give a healthy gift is limited only by your imagination. (For Spectrum Health Beat)

Giving someone a bag of carrots with a bow on it may not score you many gift-giving points this season.

In fact, no matter how good your intentions, those delicious carrots may very well end up on a snowman in the front yard.

What are some healthy options that convey appreciation and good cheer, all without tipping your calories and sodium in the wrong direction? (And preferably something that won’t be re-gifted.)

Here are some healthy, tasty ideas:

Healthy food gifts

  • Fruit baskets (oranges, apples, pears)
  • Healthy veggie gift basket (peppers, onion, zucchini, eggplant, avocado, butternut squash)
  • Imported olive oil or balsamic vinegar
  • Specialty teas or coffees
  • Goat cheese
  • Cocoa powder
  • Cinnamon powder
  • Herb and spice sets (without salt added)
  • Unsalted nuts (pistachio, almonds, cashew, peanut, macadamia, walnut, pecan)
  • Natural nut butters (almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter)
  • Herb mixes (without salt in mix)
  • Soup mixes (without salt in mix)
  • Lentils (put in a decorative container)
  • Homemade multi-grain or whole wheat bread
  • Whole wheat or multi-grain pastas

Healthy lifestyle gifts

  • Mini smoothie maker
  • Cookbooks
  • Health magazine subscription
  • Gift cards for online cookbooks, health food stores or healthy restaurants
  • Gift certificate to a health club
  • Massage gift certificate
  • Exercise bands
  • Exercise clothing
  • Sunglass straps or bands
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Diet and exercise logs
  • BPA-free food containers
  • BPA-free water bottle
  • Insulated lunch bag
  • Scale for weighing and measuring foods
  • Attachable reflective blinking light for walking, biking or running outside.

Happy, healthy holidays!