One roadblock to eating healthy is time. Who has time to spend hours in the kitchen? Fortunately, you don’t have to. When you’re pressed for time, it’s tempting to take the easy way out and eat out or order something to go that’s not so low in calories and even lower in nutrients. That’s not the best choice if you’re concerned about your health. The good news? Preparing something at home doesn’t have to be time-consuming when you have the right tools. Need some guidance? Here are some kitchen gadgets and tools you can use to make a healthy meal fast.
Kitchen Gadgets #1: A Slow Cooker
What could be better than filling a slow cooker with healthy ingredients and coming home to a hot meal ready to eat? With a slow cooker, you can add healthy ingredients, set the timer and have a meal ready when it’s time to eat. A slow cooker is ideal for making healthy soups, stews, and casseroles. Plus, a number of recipes can be adapted to work in a slow cooker. If you eat meat, you can buy a less expensive cut since slow cooking tenderizes less expensive cuts of meat and locks in their flavor – and with a slow cooker, there’s no excuse not to eat breakfast. Fill the pot with oatmeal, quinoa or barley and wake up to hot whole-grain cereal that’ll keep you full until lunch.
Kitchen Gadgets #2: A High-Speed Blender
With a high-speed blender, you can make a breakfast smoothie to drink on the way to work – and you control the ingredients. Use plain Greek yogurt and your choice of fruit or make a green smoothie using kale or spinach along with yogurt and fruit. It’s a great way to make sure you meet your veggie quota for the day. You can also use some high-speed blenders like the Vita-Mix to make quick and healthy sorbet and ice cream for a better-for-you dessert option. Other uses – make your own salad dressings, dips, sauces, and nut butters.
Kitchen Gadgets #3: An Oil Spritzer
Olive oil is a good source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats but it also has 120 calories per tablespoon. That means you don’t want to use it with a heavy hand. It’s easy to control your portions with an oil spritzer, also known as an oil mister. Just fill it up with olive oil and lightly spray it on vegetables or salads. You can also use it to spray oil-based salad dressings on salads to control your portions.
Kitchen Gadgets #4: A Bamboo Steamer
Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to prepare food since it retains most of the nutrients and you don’t have to add oil or butter. Some offer several compartments so you can cook multiple foods at once. This is a real time saver – and don’t forget the calories you’re saving by not adding butter or oil. Use it to prepare chicken, fish, and vegetables for a fast, healthy meal.
Kitchen Gadgets #5: An Herb Mill
What makes an herb mill such an indispensable tool? Herbs are a great way to add flavor to food without adding calories. Plus, they’re an excellent source of antioxidants. Make it easy to add herbs to your preparations with an herb mill. Simply add your favorite leafy herbs and turn them into tasty herbs you can sprinkle on veggies and into soups and stews. Instant antioxidants!
The Bottom Line?
Meal preparation doesn’t have to be a hassle when you have the right kitchen gadgets to help you out. Make your life easier and prepare healthy meals fast with these handy kitchen tools. What could be simpler?
