Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death among men and women in America—more than cancer, accidents, and diabetes combined. You can't help some risk factors, such as age, gender, and genetics. But quitting smoking and getting more exercise can reduce your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
So can eating a heart-healthy diet. Here are 15 gifts that will help the people on your gift list tempt their taste buds and reduce their risk of heart disease.
Cookbooks
If your loved ones have busy schedules or complain about the bland taste of healthy food, a new cookbook from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute may be just the gift. Keep the Beat Recipes: Deliciously Healthy Dinners features updated flavors adapted for a more modern palate—including Mediterranean, Latin, and Asian-inspired dishes. Since each recipe is already low in saturated fat and sodium, "It takes the guesswork out of healthy cooking," says Janet de Jesus, a nutrition education expert with the institute.
“Changing life-long habits and a mindset that healthy food has to be tasteless can be challenging for people who need to cook more with their heart in mind,” she says. At only $5, the cookbook is an inexpensive way to give heart health this holiday—plus it's designed for both novice cooks and seasoned veterans. And each meal can be prepared in less than an hour, and the book includes grocery lists and time-saving tips to help you set up a no-fail game plan for the week.
For families on your list, consider the American Heart Association Healthy Family Meals: 150 Recipes Everyone Will Love ($23). “Nutritious food patterns established early will stick with children for the long-term,” says AHA spokeswoman Dr. Alice Lichtenstein.
The cookbook features quick weeknight dinners and plan-ahead menus designed to encourage the whole family to eat healthier. The recipes include simplified preparation steps that make it easy to involve a young sous-chef, as well as plenty of substitution ideas to customize meals to a family’s tastes.
