Must-have kitchen tools for a healthy diet
Running on home treadmills or riding stationary bikes are both great ways to improve your cardio and get in shape. However, exercise is only half the battle when it comes to living a healthier lifestyle. It’s important that you watch what you eat in the kitchen so that you don’t discount all the hard work you just did in the gym.
Blender
Blenders are great for whipping up your own nut butters, which can be much healthier than store​-bought alternatives. You can also use your blender to make tasty fruit smoothies – feel free to add some spinach or kale to your creations. You won’t taste the greens, but you’ll be ingesting all of their healthy benefits. Pick up an immersion blender as well – this handheld tool allows you to whip smoothies right in the glass.
Nine-inch plates
It’s important to pay attention to the size of your dinner plate. After all, the bigger it is, the more food you’re going to put on there. Packing a smaller plate full of food can actually trick you into thinking that you’re eating more than you are. Purchase dinner plates that are around 9-inches in size to prevent you from overindulging.
Measuring cups
Measuring cups are necessary for achieving accuracy when following a recipe. However, that’s not all that these tools can be used for. Many people are guilty of bringing an entire bag of pretzels, chips or popcorn over to the couch. This can make it super easy for you to overeat. Instead, using measuring cups to stick to the recommended serving size.
Apple divider
One of the reasons we reach for snacks like chips, pretzels and cookies is because they require no preparation – you can munch on them straight out of the bag. With the right tools, you can make fruit just as convenient to eat. Purchase an apple divider, which cores and slices the fruit for you in one single stroke.
Whisk
There are a number of things you can do with a whisk, one of them being creating your own salad dressings. A plate of greens is supposed to be nutritious, but when you douse it in a heavy cream-based dressing, it suddenly becomes about as healthy as a double cheeseburger. Instead, try mixing your own vinaigrette using a whisk. Of course, you can also take advantage of your whisk by beating eggs for a light and protein-filled breakfast.
Nonstick skillet
The wonderful part about nonstick skillets is that you don’t need to add butter or oil to coat the pan. The nonstick surface does all the work in preventing your food from sticking. With a skillet, you can make anything from potatoes and eggs to fish and vegetables.
Steamer
It’s no secret the vegetables are good for you, but adding extra ingredients like oil can make them significantly less healthier. A steamer allows you to properly cook your favorite veggies without depleting their nutritional value.
Kitchen shears
There are certain ingredients you might have in the kitchen that are tricky to cut up with a knife, such as cilantro and parsley. A pair of kitchen scissors allows you to snip the perfect amount of herbs necessary for your recipe. The shears will also come in handy for removing the fat off of chicken and trimming vegetables.
Salad spinner
Washing your greens is a must to ensure dirt and bacteria is cleaned off. However, nobody wants to eat a soggy salad. This is when a salad spinner comes in handy. The tool separates the water from the leaves, giving you a healthy plate of greens to eat.