Have your friends and family been eating more and exercising less because of the holidays? Help them reverse that trend with some healthy gifts. Here’s a roundup of top products, from our experts.
For fitness buffs
Activity trackers. Exercise fanatics on your list will appreciate this gift because trackers are smarter, more accurate, and do a whole lot more than measure how much one walks. The Fitbit One is a CR Best Buy. The Nike+ FuelBand is Recommended.
Heart-rate monitor. Vigorous exercisers will love this gift because it can help make sure they reach their target heart rate, but stay in their safety zone. The Polar H7 Heart Rate Sensor is Recommended. The Omron HR-100C is a CR Best Buy.
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For cooks
Blenders. This make it a snap to whip up a healthy soup or smoothie. And since people often leave these appliance on the countertop where all can see, upscale looks—along with power and sturdy construction—are important factors to consider. The Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004 is a CR Best Buy. The Vitamix 5200 is Recommended.
Juicers. This would be a thoughtful gift for someone on your shopping list who might like making their own juice from fresh fruits and vegetables. The Juiceman Pro JM503 is Recommended. The Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Pro 67650 is a CR Best Buy.
Meat thermometers. They will help the foodie on your shopping list prepare safer meals by showing when meat has been cooked enough to kill disease-causing salmonella, E. coli, and other bugs. Plus, it can keep them from overcooking meats, too. The Polder THM-360 is Recommended.
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For the well groomed
Electric shavers. They let people shave without the muss and fuss of lather and water, which is a real plus if you have someone on your list who travels frequently or likes an afternoon touch-up at the office. The Braun Series 7 Shaver System 760cc-4, Braun Series 7 790cc-4 Shaver System, and the Braun Series 7 Shaver 720s-4 are all Recommended with the same overall score. The Remington Pivot and Flex Foil F-5790 is a CR Best Buy.
For women on your shopping list, check out our hair-removal buying guide.
Electric toothbrushes. Yes, really. They come in all sizes and colors, some spin and others pulsate. Philips Flexcare R910 is a top model.
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For people monitoring their health
Blood glucose meters. They are smaller, faster, and come with more features than ever before. That's good news for the 26 million Americans with diabetes. The Accu-Chek Aviva is Recommended. The Up & Up Blood Glucose meter is a CR Best Buy.
Blood pressure monitors. They are essential for people with hypertension issues who might want to test themselves at home. Taking multiple readings at home can actually be more accurate than the results you get at a doctor's office. The CVS Premium BP3MV1-3WCVS Item#800230 is a CR Best Buy. The Omron 10 Series BP785 is Recommended.
Scales. They'll help everyone keep their weight in check during and after the holidays. The Taylor 7506 is Recommended.
—Doug Podolsky
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