GoKawiilIf you're serious about sticking to your health goals this year, you need to make sure your kitchen is set up for success. The right cooking tools can help make meal prep effortless and fast. Some kitchen tech can help you make multiple dishes at once. Other important items to have on hand are a good chef’s knife and storage containers.
We spoke with dietitians and nutritionists to find out the kitchen tools you need to stay consistent with your goals this year. The right tools will help you establish healthy habits, so you’re more likely to stick with them over time.
Pressure cooker
A pressure cooker is a useful tool to have in your kitchen if you’re short on time but still want readily available healthy meals. Abra Pappa, a licensed nutritionist, swears by her Instant Pot, saying, “This is a game-changer for busy home cooks because it allows you to make deeply flavorful, nutrient-dense soups, stews, beans and broths with minimal hands-on time.” Pappa recommends it to her clients who want healthy meals but don’t have the time to stand over the stove.
If you’re looking for a pressure cooker, these are our favorite Instant Pots.
Countertop air fryer
If you like fried foods but are trying to limit saturated fats, an air fryer is an appliance you’ll want to own. “The air fryer is one of the most practical tools for eating more vegetables consistently,” explains Pappa. “You can throw in fresh or frozen veggies, walk away and it automatically shuts off when they’re done -- which is perfect for busy households.” What you end up with are perfectly roasted and crispy vegetables. Other foods you can prepare in the air fryer include meats, potatoes, hard-boiled eggs and even reheated leftover pizza.
“In my clinical work, the goal is always the same: reduce friction, shorten prep time and make healthy cooking feel easy and rewarding,” Pappa says. If you’re looking for air fryer options and don’t know where to begin, you can use our best air fryers list for guidance.
Cutting board
A solid cutting board is also key to effortlessly preparing your favorite health-conscious meals. You can pick from wood, plastic, stone or glass, depending on your preferences and needs. Wood and plastic tend to be the most popular options, but you also want to make sure your board is easy to clean.
... continue reading