If you want to eat healthily, you have to put in the effort to prepare your meals. Cooking at home, according to research, encourages consumers to make better food choices while also saving money. However, if you have the correct equipment for the work, it may be much more expedient and less difficult to do. As a result, prepare yourself for success. No more rummaging through a drawer full of gizmos and gadgets to find what you're looking for. Remove everything but the most basic ingredients from your kitchen so that you may mix a smoothie, cut a salad, or cook up a nutritious supper in record time—and even have fun doing it.
Are you ready to start cooking? Here are the most important kitchen essentials you'll need for long-term success with healthy eating.
Jump to:
- 1. A Kitchen Scale for Portion Control
- 2. Measuring Cups & Spoons for, Well, the Same Reason
- 3. A High-Speed Blender for Flawless Smoothies
- 4. A Multi-Cooker for Healthy Meal Prep
- 5. Cast-Iron Grill Pan for Indoor Grilling
- 6. Silicon Steamer Case for Easy-Peasy Veggies
- 7. A Chef’s Knife for Quick Chopping
- 8. A Spiralizer for Oodles of Veggie Noodles
- 9. Mason Jars for Overnight Oats
- 10. Reusable Containers for Packed Lunches
- 11. Sparkling Water Machine for Sweeter Sips
- 12. Cookbooks for Healthy Eating Inspiration
1. A Kitchen Scale for Portion Control
They aren't only for bakers, though. When it comes to portion control, a kitchen scale is a must. And, truly, you need to realize how much food is enough. To be honest, all of those calorie counts are educated guesses until you know precisely how much you're placing on your plate.
2. Measuring Cups & Spoons for, Well, the Same Reason
Most healthy recipes will need the use of measuring cups and spoons, so prepare accordingly. In addition, whether serving cereal, rice, spaghetti, or anything else that should be served in a cup but may easily fill your whole plate, you'll want to use them.
3. A High-Speed Blender for Flawless Smoothies
If you're only going to buy one luxury kitchen equipment, make it a high-speed blender since it's an investment in your health. The finest blenders feature strong engines and sharp blades that can smash frozen fruit, thick kale leaves, and even a tiny handful of almonds in a single pass. Your smoothies will never be the same after trying this recipe. (As a shopping tip, seek a refurbished model and get it while it is on sale to save hundreds of dollars.)
4. A Multi-Cooker for Healthy Meal Prep
When you first started cooking using a slow cooker, your friends would have advised you to acquire one. However, these days, it's all about the multi-cooker, which is a souped-up pressure cooker that can do anything from steam eggs to simmer beans to "roast" a chicken to "bake" sweet potatoes to fluff up brown rice. Prepare to finish your weekly meal prep in a fraction of the time you would have otherwise spent.
5. Cast-Iron Grill Pan for Indoor Grilling
What's that, you don't live near the ocean? You also don't want to waste an evening fanning an open flame, do you? Because a grill pan allows you to cook healthy grilled inside, you can sear lean meats and vibrant vegetables even when it's snowing sideways outside. Because cast iron is a workhorse material, you won't have to spend a lot of money to have a durable pan that you'll be able to use for years to come.
6. Silicon Steamer Case for Easy-Peasy Veggies
Despite the fact that there are several compelling reasons to place plants in the center of your plate, vegetables are sometimes served as an afterthought. Does this sound familiar? Don't give up hope. Microwaves are designed specifically for this purpose. A silicon steamer case allows vegetables to cook rapidly and evenly in only a few minutes, saving you time and money.
7. A Chef’s Knife for Quick Chopping
Okay, this isn't only a healthy-cooking issue; every chef should have at least one really excellent knife. Everything, from slicing an onion to carving a chicken, becomes quicker and simpler as a result of this technology. Don't squander your money on a cheap set of knives that can break easily. Simply purchase one high-quality blade and maintain its sharpness.
8. A Spiralizer for Oodles of Veggie Noodles
When it comes to healthy eating, spiralizing is one of those fads that almost seem ridiculous. However, if twisting zucchini or sweet potato into ribbons and curls would allow you to consume more colorful vegetables while reducing refined carbohydrates, then by all means do it. Get your wheels turning.
9. Mason Jars for Overnight Oats
Old-fashioned mason jars are everywhere these days, but they were hip before it was popular to use them as vases. No leaks are possible because of the tight seal, and they're durable enough to be thrown into a gym bag without fear of damaging it. To prepare overnight oats for the week ahead, arrange the containers on the counter, or use them to transport soups and smoothies.
10. Reusable Containers for Packed Lunches
Eventually, if you want to take the next step in your healthy meal preparation, you're going to have to confront the takeaway container drawer of shame. It makes little difference whether you like plastic or glass containers, square or circular, laptop lunches, or bento boxes. The goal is to narrow it down to a small number of reusable containers that you genuinely like so that you'll want to get them out and use them on a regular basis.
11. Sparkling Water Machine for Sweeter Sips
It's understandable if a spritzer doesn't seem like a need. However, the reality is that beverages account for approximately half of all added sugar. Spend the money you would have spent on soda this year on improving your health instead. Drink sparkling water with a generous squeeze of lemon, or experiment with one of these fresh fruit infusions.
12. Cookbooks for Healthy Eating Inspiration
Okay, so you've gathered all of the necessary equipment. Inspiration is the sole component that is still required. Whole foods, from superfood salmon to nutrient-dense veggies, can sound incredibly great when prepared in a visually appealing manner. So pick up a handful of your favorite cookbooks and arrange them on the counter.
