7 healthy gifts for mom this Mother's Day

The gift of good health

This Mother's Day, skip the flowers and give your mom something she really needs - the gift of good health.

No, you don't have to buy her a treadmill. There are many other things you can do to give your mom a boost in terms of her physical (or mental) well-being. Most moms will truly appreciate that your Mother's Day gift is aimed at keeping her happy, healthy, and in your life for a long time. In case you are drawing a blank, our friends at Health.com have come up with a list of healthy gift ideas for every mom...

7 healthy gifts for mom this Mother's Day

(Healthier) chocolate

"If you are a traditionalist and you must give chocolate, choose dark chocolate," says Dana Greene, a nutritionist in private practice in Boston.

Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, which can mop up the damaging free radicals known to play a role in heart disease and other illnesses. Just make sure you choose types with less sugar and fewer calories. "This way you can satisfy her sweet tooth and benefit her heart," she says.

7 healthy gifts for mom this Mother's Day

Better baked goods

Chocolate oatmeal cookie If you like to give baked goods, expand your recipe repertoire.

These Chocolate Chunk and Walnut Oatmeal Cookies pack heart-healthy fats in just 92 calories. And these Ginger-Pecan Muffins have a surprise ingredient - quinoa! - that adds a satisfying boost of protein.

7 healthy gifts for mom this Mother's Day

The gift of healthy eating

Rather than an expensive, artery-clogging brunch, make mom a light meal from your favorite healthy cookbook and leave the book behind for her to try out later. If she already cooks, present her with some skinny-kitchen gadgets, like a steam basket, grill pan, or oil mister.

You could even spring for a visit with a nutritionist and follow it with a healthy meal. "Mother's Day is a great reason to get your mom to see a nutritionist," Greene says. "Nutritionists can really tailor their advice to whatever issues mom is having with her diet."

7 healthy gifts for mom this Mother's Day

A get-fit basket

Excited Shopping Woman Instead of a gourmet gift basket filled with sweets, make your own fitness gift basket, suggests Philadelphia-based women's health expert Dr. Marie Savard, author of several books, including Ask Dr. Marie: Straight Talk and Reassuring Answers to Your Most Private Questions.

Not sure what to put in it? It could be a yoga DVD, or a workout top, if she's interested in getting more exercise.

"A pedometer, some arm weights, and maybe a tape measure can also be part of this gift," Dr. Savard says.

7 healthy gifts for mom this Mother's Day

A good night's sleep

Adequate sleep is linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as other health conditions.

"Buy your mom satin sheets, a new mattress, a mattress cover, or a luxurious pillow to encourage better sleep," Dr. Savard says. "We know that restorative sleep is critical to our immune system and heart health."

For new mothers, offer to watch the baby while she takes a nap. This will also allow you to spend quality time with the kids, so "it's a win-win," she says.

7 healthy gifts for mom this Mother's Day

A gift that keeps on giving

Mother and baby in home office with laptop Companies such as Presents for Purpose allow you to pay it forward this Mother's Day by picking gifts in which 10 percent of the proceeds benefit a charity of your choice. "We are all trying to conserve money, so why not have your funds go further with a gift that gives back?" says company founder Alayna Kassan.

Gift givers can choose from bathrobes, cosmetics bags, scented candles, and a plethora of other items--many of which are "green"--and then choose a meaningful charity from a list. "When your mom gets the gift, she will be notified that it will benefit the chosen charity," Kassan says. "We have a few breast cancer charities on the site and they all do well on Mother's Day."

7 healthy gifts for mom this Mother's Day

The gift of time and support

mother, daughter, grandmother, mom, child, hereditary, family, stock, 4x3 "Offer to be your mom's health buddy," says Dr. Savard.

"Promise to be there for any and all doctor's visits whether a mammogram or routine appointment," she says. "Most moms always say 'don't bother,' but another set of eyes and ears is always a good idea at a doctor's visit."