Getting nutritious foods from the store, farmer's market, or grown from the garden only starts the process of healthy eating.
Next comes having the right cooking and eating utensils in the kitchen! Using key healthy cooking utensils and gadgets helps save time and effort while transforming raw food products into delicious meals.
So, how can healthy eating be made easy in the kitchen? Lean on these top food gadgets and healthy eating essentials to make healthy and easy cooking a breeze!
Top 15 Food Gadgets and Utensils for Healthy Eating
Whether rationing portions or blending breakfast, there is a food gadget for that! Make healthy eating and cooking feel effortless with the help of these top 15 essentials.
1. Measuring Cups and Spoons
Measuring cups and spoons are arguably the most basic healthy eating tool. Measuring cups and spoons aid in ingredient control and are critical for replicating recipes.
Knowing the exact amount of ingredients needed and used allows tighter regulation on knowing the caloric and nutritional content of recipes.
2. Scale
Along with measuring cups and spoons, a scale provides a piece of mind on the precise food quantity used.
Consistent use allows for a more efficient judgment of portion sizes and weight. Recognizing potions is an innate, valuable skill, especially if dining out.
3. Blender
The usefulness of a blender or food processor is tremendous for making healthy eating easy. Its sharp blades thoroughly mix a wide variety of products including nutritious smoothies, pureed soups, homemade tomato sauces, or bistroMD’s healthy spin on ice cream!
4. Mini Muffin Pan
Unlike standard muffin pans, utilizing a mini pan fosters portion control. Keeping portions small on baked goods allows you to have your muffin and eat it, too!
For breakfast on-the-go, check out these healthified muffin recipes.
5. Chef Knife
Investing in one high0quality chef knife can help transform foods quickly in the kitchen. Though a common and basic cooking tool, a chef knife makes chopping fresh produce that much easier.
Keeping a chef knife sharp is also key for making meal prep effortless and actually cuts down the risk for injury.
6. Mandolin Slicer
With a little less effort than a knife, a mandolin slicer can still offer clean, even slices! If you need a little inspiration utilizing a mandolin, give these unique recipes a try!
7. Steamer
A veggie steamer further reduces the excuses of "eating healthy takes too much time and effort!" Using a steamer reduces the time needed to get vegetables cooked.
Not only will you have a nutritious end result, but it will be ready in half the time.
8. Spiralizer
A spiralizer is a unique cooking tool to transform fruits and vegetables into noodle-like products. Cut carb content of traditional pastas by spiralizing zucchini or use a spiralizer for a fun twist as a salad base like a zucchini noodle salad.
Using a spiralizer also offers a visual aesthetic which may also entice children to try new, nutritious food.
9. Thermometer
How do you know if food is cooked to a safe temperature? With this guide of appropriate food temperatures and a handy thermometer, the risk of foodborne illness will be dramatically cut.
Overall, using a thermometer gives confidence you are serving food that is safe and delicious.
10. Portioned Dishes
Portioned dishware makes serving appropriate sizes simple to the naked eye. These plates not only offer portion control, but offer a decorative appeal. Smaller plates and bowls can also be used to make smaller portions the default – just stay mindful of second plates and servings!
Bento boxes, which are portioned lunch containers, can help take portioned servings on the go for lunches or eating on the road.
11. Storage Containers
Storage containers make storing and taking leftovers for lunch the next day simple and convenient. Having storage containers also allows for meals-on-the-go, especially when partaking in meal prep!
Keep in mind it is not always necessary to spend money for containers; they can be as simple as reusing glass jars or other food packages.
12. Non-Toxic Pans and Utensils
Pans and cooking utensils are key healthy eating essentials. To take healthy eating a step further, make sure pans and utensils are non-toxic.
Non-stick cookware may leach harmful chemicals when heated which could negatively impact health. Metal utensils can scrape pans which can further leach harmful chemicals from cookware, and plastic cooking utensils may also leach chemicals when heated.
Stainless steel, glass, cast-iron, and ceramic cookware are considered non-toxic cookwares, and silicone cooking utensils are also considered non-toxic.
13. Instant Pot (or Slow Cooker)
Instapot is a more user-friendly pressure cooker but also can work as a slow cooker. It makes healthy cooking quick and easy with just using one pot.
If getting an Instapot is not available, consider using a slow cooker as a tool for healthy eating.
14. Garlic Press
Garlic is associated with providing many health benefits. It has been shown to have antibacterial, antioxidant, and cancer-fighting properties.
To get more garlic in the diet, use a garlic press to make adding garlic to meals easy. A garlic press can be enticing for those who do not want to spend time mincing or chopping small (but mighty in nutrients!) ingredients like garlic.
15. Air Fryer
The air fryer mimics all the best parts of fried food without the need for unhealthy methods which makes it not only a fun kitchen gadget but a useful healthy cooking tool. Try various air fryer recipes and cooking methods such as baking, roasting or grilling.
Concluding Healthy Eating Essentials & Gadgets
There are many tools and gadgets that can make healthy cooking easier and more efficient in the kitchen. Basic healthy eating essentials include measuring cups/spoons, scale, non-toxic cookware, storage containers, utensils, chef knife, blender, and thermometer.
Some fun kitchen gadgets may not be completely necessary but can make healthy cooking easier! These include a garlic press, Instant Pot, air fryer, portioned dishes, steamer, spiralizer, mandolin slicer and mini muffin pan.
