If you’re determined to give something way more thoughtful than a box of After Eight, use this carefully curated gift guide for all budgets as a cheat sheet for the perfect dietitian-approved food-related gifts to give out this holiday season. Nothing here goes to the return pile.
Wild Alaskan Company Wild Combo Gift Box
There’s nothing suspicious about what’s in this box of proteins. The gift box contains 12 servings of wild-caught Alaskan fish: salmon, halibut, cod and pollock. Sustainable, ultra-nutritious and delicious. The seafood portions are delivered to your lucky recipient frozen, but are carefully refrigerated so that there is no loss of quality. Go ahead and order a second one for yourself.
From $155, go to wildalaskacompany.com
Bob’s Red Mill Protein and Waffle Mix
A perfect edible gift for the breakfast lover in your life. The mix is made with whey and pea protein, giving a stack of flapjacks 16 grams of protein per serving. It also contains whole wheat flour, so it is a source of valuable whole wheat, which is not the case for most pancake mixes on the market. And all it takes to make fluffy pancakes is stirring the mixture with water – a morning glory indeed. Maybe your friend invites you over for a high-protein breakfast.
From $9, go to amazon.com
Beast Go wireless
Most people have a blender, but not like this one. This cordless, rechargeable machine is a personal blender with some power. Despite its portable size, it effortlessly blends ice and frozen fruit, meaning no more frozen nuggets floating in protein shakes. And without the piercing noise of some personal blenders. It’s slim enough to fit easily into gym bags or carry-on luggage, so people can mix up muscle-boosting drinks almost anywhere. The Airbnb rental lacks a blender. That’s no problem. The real danger here is that the large blender will collect dust. Plus, you can choose from several fun colors depending on what you think your gift companion will be most excited about.
$114, go to thebeast.com
Javvy Protein Coffee
The perfect solution for anyone who loves coffee and protein powder. Each bag contains a dynamic duo of whey protein and Arabica instant coffee – yes, you can get your caffeine fix and build muscle at the same time. There is also a prebiotic to support gut health. It can be served hot or as iced coffee. What is unique is that this coffee drink contains no added sugars. This is not a Starbucks sugar bomb. Available in a range of great flavours, including mocha and tiramisu, so make sure you gift a few bags of this better brew.
$35.95 (with subscription), go to javvycoffee.com
Equip Prime Protein Peanut Butter
Equip’s Next Level Prime Protein uses beef isolate as a base and provides a clean, whole-food sourced 20 grams of protein per scoop. That makes it free of potential stomach-churning protein sources. The peanut flour makes a protein shake taste like everyone’s favorite spread. And the sea salt adds a pleasant, tempered saltiness. The powder manages to blend seamlessly into smoothies, yogurt, oats or even baking, without any strange aftertaste. Yes, not all protein powders are created equal.
$54.39 (with subscription), go to equipfoods.com
Power of Nature Big ‘Ol Beef Box
The brand says: “Better meat makes better gifts.” How true is that. Well, maybe not for your vegan friends. This red meat gift box contains a delicious blend of grass-fed and grass-finished steaks and ground meats from American ranches that practice regenerative agriculture. In other words, no fodder meat here. Cuts include ribeye, tenderloin, and NY strip, all of which are likely to contain more nutrients than the standard shrink-wrapped meat at the grocery store. This will encourage everyone to brave the elements and fire up the grill.
$220, go to forceofnature.com
IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials
Few supplements are more comprehensive than this, and anyone you give this as a gift will be flattered that you’re looking out for their health. The powder contains a huge blend of vitamins and minerals in useful amounts, antioxidants, greens, adaptogenic mushrooms, amino acids, probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes and CoQ10 for cardiovascular health. It’s like a multivitamin on steroids. The NSF certification is a guarantee that the product has what is advertised and is not laced with contaminants. And the slightly sour berry flavor ensures that it doesn’t taste like taking medicine.
$112 (one-time purchase), go to im8health.com
David blueberry pie bars
Pack a box of these for anyone hungry for more protein. The viral protein bar with over-the-top marketing, named after Michelangelo’s David statue (hence the gold packaging and “perfection” positioning), has macros that have everyone talking: 28 grams of protein and just 150 calories. And despite being so stingy on calories, these bars are impressively large. The bar’s protein system includes milk protein isolate, collagen, whey protein concentrate and egg white, so definitely a protein makeup that can help with all muscle building efforts. However, food purists will wish the bars contained real blueberries. The texture is similar to cookie dough, but the bar tastes more like berry pie when you press it for a few seconds. If you’re feeling extra generous, you can build a bundle of four boxes and give yourself a free one for your effort.
$35.10 (with subscription), go to davidprotein.com
Hydroflask shake bottle
Most plastic shake bottles suck. This one goes against the trend. The insulated bottle keeps anything people shake cold for up to 24 hours, and the leak-proof technology the company is praised for ensures there are no unfortunate kitchen messes. The 24 ounce capacity means fighting for space won’t be an issue. It can also be used to make icy blended smoothies or even hot drinks like coffee. And it’s hard to see past the boldness that this is a colorful shake bottle that looks cool.
$26.21, go to hydroflask.com
So many sticks
Help a special person in your life gain muscle. A far cry from Slim Jim’s, these meaty sticks come from Maui’s wild-harvested Axis deer, largely considered an invasive species there. Each venison stick contains 9-10 g of protein for 60 calories or less, with only one gram of fat. Yes, those Maui beasts provide very lean meat, but still manage to deliver great flavor. The starter pack contains 6 original and 6 peppered sticks and a splurge for which you will certainly be thanked very much.
$39, go to maunuivenison.com
Death Wish Coffee Co. Triple Threat coffee bundle
The ideal gift for the coffee lover in your life. This trio includes a 1-pound bag of each medium, dark and espresso roast, pre-ground or whole beans. Robust beans with a naturally higher caffeine content are blended with arabica beans to produce brews that pack a punch and are full-bodied. Complex, rich and smooth at the same time. The coffee is both organic and Fairtrade certified.
$54.99, go to deathwishcoffee.com
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