Physicians Group Prescribes the Gift of Health for Online Shoppers

WASHINGTON—Just in time for the peak online shopping season, the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is announcing its top ten healthy food gift ideas. All gifts are available online:

1. Eight-Box Veggie Club HarryandDavid.com ($199.95)

2. Three-Soup Gift Crate WomensBeanProject.com ($16.00)

3. Fresh Fruit Basket DeanDeluca.com ($125.00)

4. Red's Vintage Tomatoes RedCooper.com ($36.98)

5. Meatless Sampler Healthy-eating.com ($29.99)

6. Pearadise Gift Box GotFruit.com ($26.95)

7. Grand Variety Organic Gift Basket ($87.95)

8. Longevity Noodles RedEnvelope.com ($60.00)

9. Spreads and Jamin' Jams Gift Set Collection ClubSauce.com ($44.00)

10. Popcorn Gift Set Williams-Sonoma.com ($37.00)

"With weight problems and diet-related disease as prevalent as ever, our prescription is simple: Give the gift of health this holiday season," says PCRM dietitian Brie Turner-McGrievy, M.S., R.D. "Buy your family and friends one of the many delicious vegetarian and other healthy gifts available this year.

"Whether they're die-hard meat-eaters or gourmet vegetarians, there's something on our list that's bound to please. Even someone who thinks fudge is a food group will find some of these fruit, veggie, and meatless gifts irresistible."

PCRM's nutrition staff combed the Internet for the most appealing, low-fat food gift ideas. The ten gifts featured above represent a mix of large and small suppliers and a range of prices. All food products meet PCRM criteria by being predominantly low-fat, fiber-rich, and cholesterol-free.

"It's encouraging to see just how many healthy choices are available these days," says Ms. Turner-McGrievy. "Careful shoppers will find healthy choices on most Web sites. Even HickoryFarms.com offers gorgeous fruit baskets amidst its infamous sausage-and-cheese packs."

PCRM does not accept any compensation for these gift recommendations and cannot guarantee the availability of products sold by these vendors or Web site security. Although a few of the products may come with recipes that suggest adding cheese, butter, or other unhealthy foods, vegetarian substitutions are always easy to make.

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research,and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research.