Nutrition: Healthy food gifts for the holidays

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WELL + BEING

Give the gift of health for the holidays

written by BRANDY (BAXTER) STAYMAN

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Food often is a central part of our holiday celebrations, including the gifts we give others. It is common to give cookies, pies or other goodies to our co-workers, family and friends this time of year. However, if you would like to balance out some of the treats with a good-for-you gift this year, here are some options: Healthy subscription boxes

Subscription boxes are popular these days, and are the gifts that keep giving, even after the ball drops on New Year's Eve. There are several subscription services that provide fresh, in-season fruit monthly. There are some specifically for citrus. It’s great to get vitamin C in the winter. You also can gift someone with a meal kit delivery service, such as Freshly or Hello Fresh, to give people some cooking inspiration. Teas

Tea is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Giving a gift basket of a variety of teas, along with cute tea-making accessories, will give the tea lover in your life some variety. Infused olive oil and vinegar

Olive oil is incredibly heart-healthy and has anti-inflammatory properties. Vinegar adds flavor without sodium or cholesterol. Varieties available online and at local specialty shops can add an appealing touch to recipes. Specialty olive oils are infused with a variety of herbs, spices and flavorings to add a ton of flavor to foods, and are a little fancier than what is available at local grocery stores. Examples of oil flavors include garlic, butter, Italian blends, jalapeño lime and chipotle. Vinegars are available in a variety of flavors, including balsamic, champagne, mango and jalapeño. Specialty shops usually have great recommendations for combinations of oil and vinegar to use together. Grow-your-own-herb kits

Herbs can be easily grown on a windowsill year-round. They are a natural, healthy way to add a ton of flavor to food. There are many grow-your-own herbs kits available for parsley, basil, cilantro, mint and more. Homemade granola

Want to go the more DIY route for your gift? Make homemade granola and place it in a pretty jar with a bow for an easy, healthful treat. Most homemade granolas include basic ingredients commonly found in pantries, such as oats, honey, nuts and vanilla. Virtual cooking class tickets

There are many benefits to cooking your own meals at home. Gifting someone with cooking classes, whether virtually or in-person if available, is a great way to teach new chefs some tricks and experienced cooks even more tricks. Pair a gift of cooking classes with a cookbook packed with healthful recipes so the recipient can test new skills even further.— Places

Brandy (Baxter) Stayman is a registered dietitian with Optimal Health Nutrition Counseling, a division of Capital Women’s Care. Nutrition questions can be submitted to her blog at brandnewyounutrition.wordpress.com/contact.

Local doctor to provide robotic knee surgery

Patients needing a knee replacement will soon have a new option, thanks to the efforts of orthopaedic surgeon Alvaro Cabezas, MD. Dr. Cabezas has been training for the last year on a robotic system that allows surgeons to provide precise personalized care during knee replacement surgery. He plans to begin offering the robotic knee surgeries at the end of October and has identified a few patients who will be good candidates for the procedure. “I’m always looking for innovative ways to improve patient outcomes,” says Dr. Cabezas, who has been practicing with The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics – Parkway Division for seven years. Dr. Cabezas received training on the Rosa Knee System, which supports surgeons in performing Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). The system assists with bone resections and allows assessment of soft tissues during surgery. This enables surgeons to determine the correct position of the replacement.

For information about the procedure, contact The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics – Parkway Division at 301-665-4575, or request an appointment online at hipknee.com.

The procedure allows for real time range of motion assessment, takes into account a patient’s anatomy and enables surgeons to collect valuable data. A robotic arm uses trackers to find the proper place on the knee to make appropriate cuts for the replacement. “These trackers can tell the machine where the cuts go – where we’re going to be cutting the knee to implant the knee replacement,” explains Cabezas, who estimates that he performs 150 to 250 knee replacement surgeries a year. The procedure’s accuracy allows for a patient to have a knee replacement that leads to better balance, a more natural feeling knee. Because of Dr. Cabeza’s efforts to learn this skill, patients who typically seek this type of surgery outside of the area will be able to stay close to home. “Now they won’t have to travel as far,” Cabezas says. “They will have this technology at their doorstep.”