Stocking your kitchen with healthy cooking tools and gadgets can help you stay on track to meet your wellness goals. Using these items can help you save time, avoid messy clean-ups and make nutritious food that your body will love.
Create nutrient-packed meals with a food processor. This kitchen tool can help you whip up pestos, hummus, “nice” cream and even bread crumbs.
1. Digital Scale
If portion control is part of your healthy eating plan, a digital scale can help you keep track of the ingredients that go into each meal. These kitchen scales are battery- or electrically powered and small enough to easily fit on a countertop, while still being easy to read.
These devices are also great for those who are following a specific diet, as many of them come with the ability to measure nutritional data such as calories, sodium and protein. They can also convert units for you, which will save some time during recipe prep.
Other handy gadgets that make clean cooking easier include a mandoline and spiralizer. A mandoline cuts veggies such as potatoes, cucumbers and radishes much faster than a knife while a spiralizer creates long ribbons that look like noodles or spaghetti.
2. Food Processor
Food prep doesn’t have to be time consuming. With these best kitchen tools and gadgets, you can chop and peel fruits and veggies with ease, saving time and energy for the rest of your cooking tasks.
A basic food processor features a metal blade that sits at the top of the machine with a feed tube on one side. You can add ingredients into the feed tube and the metal blade rotates to chop, grate, slice or shred.
The best food processors also include a dough blade, dicing accessory and a blender attachment for smoothies. They’re typically easy to use, clean and store. They replace the need for a cheese grater, sharp knife and several other types of kitchen tools. Many have multiple speed settings and a pulse setting for more control.
3. Oil Sprayer
Oil sprayers are popular because of how they can be used to add a light coating of olive or other healthy oils to food or kitchenware. Using an oil sprayer is more efficient than pouring liquid oil, which can pool and drip onto baking sheets or counters, and it eliminates the need to rub in oil with your hands, which can be messy.
Look for an oil sprayer that produces a fine mist and is BPA-, latex-, and DEHP-free. Also, choose one that is made with glass because it won’t absorb odors and flavors like plastic bottles. Oil sprayers are great for dressing salads, roasting vegetables, sauteing and baking, or even for preparing baked fish or grilled chicken.
4. Two-Tier Food Steamer
Stocking your kitchen with smart, streamlined appliances is one of the best ways to get on the path to healthy eating. Whether you’re trying to veer away from frying, up your vegetable intake or experiment with vegan cuisine, having the right tools at hand makes it easier to stick to your health goals.
This handy appliance allows you to steam veggies, meats and eggs. It has a water compartment below and perforated basket above with clear lids to easily see how much steam is coming through, so your food doesn’t become soggy.
Elevate your nutrition game with a nutri-blend mixer, which transforms whole foods into power-packed smoothies and blends that deliver a concentrated dose of vitamins and nutrients. Plus, it’s a great alternative to a blender if you don’t have a lot of counter space.
5. Meal Prep Containers
If you’re a fan of meal prep, it’s essential to have the right kitchen tools. This set features a durable and versatile glass three-compartment option with BPA-free plastic lids that seal securely. It’s safe for the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher, as well as resistant to stains and odors.
Other options include one-compartment containers ideal for stews, soups, and other one-dish meals. They also feature embossed cup measurements for easy portion control and a round dinner-plate design for an easier meal prep experience.
Keep these tools handy to make healthy cooking a breeze, and help maintain your mindful eating habits. They’re also great gifts for health-conscious friends and family!