Heart Health

Holiday gifts that keep the heart in mind

For gifts that keep on giving, consider presents that encourage healthy eating and exercise.

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

photo of a man carrying a basket of assorted fruits, offering it as a holiday gift

Need some holiday gift ideas for loved ones and friends — or maybe even yourself? Here are some suggestions from two Harvard experts that may help inspire heart-friendly habits.

Kitchen tools and gadgets

Eating home-cooked meals made with fresh ingredients is a good way to make sure your diet benefits your heart and overall health. Gadgets that make food prep easier, quicker, and safer can help, says Kate Mitchell, a dietitian at the Lipid and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Clinic at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. "The No. 1 tool I recommend is a food chopper, which you can use to dice onions and many other vegetables and fruits," she says. They often come with adjustable blades for different cutting styles, such as a very small dice or thin slices.

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About the Author

photo of Julie Corliss

Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

Julie Corliss is the executive editor of the Harvard Heart Letter. Before working at Harvard, she was a medical writer and editor at HealthNews, a consumer newsletter affiliated with The New England Journal of Medicine. She … See Full Bio
View all posts by Julie Corliss

About the Reviewer

photo of Christopher P. Cannon, MD

Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Christopher P. Cannon is editor in chief of the Harvard Heart Letter. He is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and senior physician in the Preventive Cardiology section of the Cardiovascular Division at … See Full Bio
View all posts by Christopher P. Cannon, MD

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