Think Fast! Last Minute Gifts for the Diet-Minded

It's crunch time! Are you done shopping yet? I bet you're not. Slacker.

The toughest people to buy for are us dieters, especially the hard core ones. What exactly can you get a diet-minded person to show your support? Clothes are nice, but what size? Too small? Insulting. Too big? Insulting. Exercise stuff is handy, but unromantic and can send the wrong message if you're not careful.

It's tough to find just the right gift that says "You can do it!" without saying "Merry Christmas, Fatty". Here's a quick list of things that you can get the dieter in your life.

Metal Water Bottle
These things are cool, and indispensable - AND indisposable! And us dieters are obsessed with water. No joke. Get a cool one to show that you get the giftee's style. (the one pictured here is a super cheapie Old Navy version)

Yoga Anything

Everyone does Yoga - it's not strictly for the weight-loss-obsessed. It says that you get their desire for fitness, without saying "you really should work out"

Cold-Weather Athletic Gear

Everyone needs a fleece jacket...or two. Warm clothes that are workout-worthy are encouraging, useful, and don't overtly point to working out. It comes in handy even for running out to get the mail.

Cookbooks

OK, this is a little tricky. If you bust out the South Beach Diet cookbook, you're in trouble. A Cooking Light book is great, their recipes are standbys even when not dieting. A great book of basics like something from America's Test Kitchen or the classic Julia Child cookbook (it's timely...and perfect for the Julie/Julia fans) are also welcome gifts for anyone.

Gift Cards

These handy little things can be far from impersonal, especially for someone who's clothes are getting bigger. Dieters are hoping for new, smaller clothing. So some cash for their favorite store is an exciting, hope-filled gift.

Hint Cucumber Water: No Deal!

I was in a funk, and in Whole Foods - a dangerous combination. One that could lead to purchasing wildly overpriced chocolates and convincing myself organic calories don't really count.

I resisted though, because my head was already at the spa. I had an appointment booked for a massage, and was looking forward to the little spa perks like water spiked with cucumber and oranges and little bowls of raw trail mix. Just the taste of either puts me in an instant relaxation mode. So when I saw a cold case of Hint water, my hand went directly to the Cucumber variety.

I had hope for Hint. No sweeteners, no preservatives, no sugar...it pushed all my buttons. But my first giant swig pushed all the wrong buttons. I was assaulted by the strong scent of dirt, and the flavor tasted more like discarded cucumber skins than anything else. Maybe that's from their "natural flavors" but it was too much . Less a hint, more a smack in the mouth with a clump of grass clippings.

I do still have hope for the fruit flavors, but the Cucumber is just not working for me.