If you're looking for some really solid health-related books to give for Christmas, I'd like to share a few of my favorites.
Before I do, however, I'd like to mention my personal bias about health-related gifts. Give them only to people who want them. Don't try to make over folks who aren't ready yet; it's a waste of time and money.
But for the people on your list who have a particular interest in nutrition, food or cooking, here are a few goodies they'll treasure.
* "Nutrition for Women, The Complete Guide: How Eating Right Can Help You Look and Feel Your Best," by Elizabeth Somer, is a remarkably easy-to-read compendium of research of issues pertinent to women's health.
Ms. Somer covers the relationship of nutrition to dozens of health concerns like anemia, heart disease, fertility, fibrocystic breast disease, moods and emotions and yeast infections.
Charts, tables and work sheets make it easy to develop an eating plan to match your lifestyle and personal health issues.
All this solid information is backed by 2,000 research references tucked away in the back where they don't disrupt your reading. (Henry Holt & Company, New York. 1993. $25.)
* "Healthy Homestyle Cooking: 200 of Your Favorite Recipes With a Fraction of the Fat," by Evelyn Tribole, is a great book for those who like to cook good, old-fashioned food. Stews, pot pies, moussaka, Chinese fried rice, even pecan sticky buns, appear in delicious, reduced-fat versions.
Each recipe begins with a "before and after" table showing fat and calories saved. Ms. Tribole's fat substitution secrets help you balance pleasure and nutrition. (Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pa. 1994. $27.95.)
* "The New York City Marathon Cookbook: Nutrition Tips and Recipes for High-Energy Eating and Lifelong Health," by Nancy Clark, is a great gift for the athlete in your life. The first third of the book is a state-of-the-art look at sports nutrition. Although directed at runners, it's suitable for all endurance athletes. Ms. Clark covers pleasurable, healthy eating for athletic success, weight management and women's concerns.
The rest of the book is filled with recipes submitted by marathon runners of all abilities, along with Ms. Clark's comments and nutritional analysis. "Pasta and White Bean Soup with Sun Dried Tomatoes" is a big winner.
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the New York City Marathon, the book is spiced with photos, statistics and interviews with famous runners. (Ruteledge Hill Press, Nashville, Tenn. 1994. $19.95.)
* "Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home: Fast and Easy Recipes for Any Day," by the Moosewood Collective.
This is a great book for vegetarians (or folks crossing over) who want delicious, made-from-scratch food without spending a lifetime in the kitchen. Fresh ingredients and interesting combinations create richly delicious foods, low to reasonable in fat.
Nutrition information follows each recipe. Zesty "Cajun Skillet Beans" is my favorite. It's ready to serve in 20 minutes. (Simon and Schuster, New York. 1994. $15.)
Colleen Pierre, a registered dietitian, is the nutrition consultant at the Union Memorial Sports Medicine Center and Vanderhorst & Associates in Baltimore.