Myth: The best gift for Mother’s Day is a box of chocolates.

Answer: BUSTED! Well, sort of...

Strawberry with dark chocolate, a healthier treat!

Looking to give your mom a chocolate treat on Mother’s Day? Consider giving her strawberries dipped in dark chocolate. Why dark chocolate? Dark chocolate has substances in it – antioxidants – that appear to be beneficial when it comes to our risk for heart disease. If you decide to make strawberries dipped in dark chocolate, use the dark chocolate with the higher percent cocoa – this kind of chocolate has the highest amount of antioxidants linked to heart health and the lowest amount of sugar. Strawberries, like other fruits and vegetables, also contain antioxidants. So when you dip strawberries in dark chocolate, you are giving a gift of good health.

What are some other ways to give the gift of good health on Mother’s Day? Give her a nutrition book! Check out the nutrition and lifestyle reading list from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for recommendations. You might also consider giving her a subscription to a nutrition/health newsletter such as Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, Environmental Nutrition or the Berkeley Wellness newsletter.

Be your mom's walking buddy!

One free gift you might not have considered for Mother’s Day is your commitment to be a walking buddy with your mom. Walking is one way to increase daily physical activity. Being a walking buddy gives the gift of good health for both you and your mom!

Perhaps the most enjoyable gift your mom might like is the gift of time – make a meal for your mom on her special day so that she can relax. You can find a wide variety of healthy recipes for your meal at http://missourifamilies.org/nutrition/recipes/.

Here’s hoping you and your mom’s day is a special and healthy one!

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933