Are you looking for Christmas gift ideas? Our health team has some wonderful suggestions if you’re shopping for someone who has expressed an interest in managing or improving their health.
Narelle Lampard, diabetes educator and dietitian
A healthy gourmet food hamper filled with olive oil, olives, pickles, relishes, chutney and grainy or seed crackers can make a good gift.
Another option for healthy eating is an air fryer if they don’t already have one – these are great for cooking lean meat, fish or roasted vegetables that are perfectly cooked with minimal fat.
A voucher for a cooking lesson is a great gift for someone looking to pick up a few new ideas. Or you could give them some inspiration to try new recipes with a subscription to Healthy Food Guide or Diabetic Living magazine.
We get a lot of questions about what to drink on the Diabetes WA Helpline. A pretty teacup with a choice of herbal teas is a thoughtful gift, and herbal teas are great for staying hydrated in hot weather without the caffeine.
A good-quality lunchbox is another practical gift that will make bringing a healthy packed lunch from home a little easier.
Nyaree Lawler, diabetes educator and nurse
Firstly, a bluetooth sleep mask can help with getting some good-quality sleep. These block out noise and light and are compatible with music or meditation soundtracks and audiobooks.
A voucher for some float therapy or a massage will be a relaxing start for the new year, while a hyper cool or microfibre sports towel and a new water bottle will be welcome additions to the gym bag.
Carly Luff, exercise physiologist
An activity tracker is good for keeping track of steps and many other types of physical activity. Or you could give a voucher for their usual yoga or Pilates studio, or a ticket to an upcoming active event.
For stress reduction, which can help with managing diabetes, a mindfulness colouring-in book and some pens or pencils are great gifts.
Tara Savage, pharmacist
Add healthy flavour to foods with some home-grown herbs – you can pick up herb garden kits at this time of year from Bunnings.
Or why not get in some steps while learning more about Perth and its surrounds? Hike Collective has gift cards so people can choose a hike that suits them.
This is also a great time of year to enjoy a movie in the open air, and you can support Telethon at the same time with a voucher to one of their community cinemas.
Thoughtful gifts from local Aboriginal-owned businesses
Our staff kitchen has been more active lately as staff members drop past to work on the latest puzzle from Yarn featuring beautiful Indigenous artwork.
And at our gestational diabetes symposium earlier this year, our gifts for our speakers, panel members and sponsors were sustainable plant-based candles from Olive and Bean in Fremantle.
We also like this six seasons soap pack and this learn-to-weave kit from Tjanpi Desert Weavers.
Our health team are excellent at choosing Christmas gifts. They are also a wealth of knowledge when it comes to diabetes.
If you have any questions about diabetes, give them a call on our free helpline – 1300 001 880. We’re here Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
