Essential Kitchen Tools for Healthy Eating

A few years ago, my must-used kitchen tools were a can opener, a big wooden spoon, a saucepan and a 9×13 pan. So when I started eating healthier, I was surprised that I not only had to shift the ingredients I used, but my kitchen tools as well. This wasn’t the saddest day of my life because any excuse to browse the kitchen supply section of any store is a good time for me. I know, I’m a regular party animal. If you’re making the shift toward healthy eating, consider adding these supplies to your kitchen. Be sure to spend several hours in the kitchen section picking the perfect colors and sizes. You’re welcome.

1. Cutting Boards – My increase in cutting board use was a huge shock to me. I used to use one cutting board max per meal. I was shocked the first month after making the healthy shift to see my sink was constantly full of cutting boards. I use them vegetables, fruit, meat and nuts. I recommend stocking up on different sizes. I also recommend having several dishwasher safe ones unless you like doing dishes, which I don’t. For cutting cooked meat, I like the ones with a groove to catch the juices. This is my personal favorite.
2. Sharp Knives – If you need several cutting boards, you’re also going to need several knives. I like large knives for meat and vegetables/herbs, a serrated knife for tomatoes and a big bread knife for bread.
3. Food Processor – My food processor sat in my cupboard for years, untouched. Now it comes out at least weekly. I use it to grate carrots or sweet potatoes quickly. I use to to puree dates to make a great sugar substitute. It’s also great in making homemade salad dressings.  I also use it a lot in baking. Since I don’t use regular flour, I don’t have to worry about over processing too much.  I’ve only ever used a Cuisinart and have no problems with it.
4. Apple Slicer – Apples are a great, fast snack. We put them in a sandwich bag and toss them with cinnamon, cook them in a skillet in a little butter and cinnamon to put on pancakes, or slice them and dip them in peanut butter or almond butter. My apple slicer is constantly in the dishwasher because we use it multiple times a day. I’ve linked one here from amazon.com, but you can find these at any grocery store or even a thrift store. 
5. Vitamix – Okay. This one is a bit of an investment but totally worth it. This think blends anything. It does everything a blender does, but more. I used to to make powdered coconut sugar out of regular coconut sugar. We use it daily to make super smooth smoothies. I use it at least a few times a month to make mashed cauliflower (in place of mashed potatoes). It’s great for soups or sauces but my favorite is to make nut butters out of it. I’ve made homemade almond butter, hazelnut butter, macadamia nut butter, peanut butter and sunflower butter. I’ve linked it here to Amazon, but I recommend doing some research before buying this. We ended up getting ours on Craigslist.
6. Sloped side skillet – I use this at least once a day, sometimes twice. The sloped sides make it easier to move around food and holds in sauces. It’s like a skillet and saucepan in one. I use to to make a stir fry of eggs and veggies, homemade pasta sauce, scrambled eggs. Really anything you need to make on a stove, this skillet is good for. When you eat healthy, you make more from scratch. This makes it much easier. 
7. Spiral veggie slicer – I love this for making zucchini spaghetti noodles or spiraling cucumber for a fresh veggie salad. This is the one I’ve found to be the best value for my buck. Along with that, just a regular vegetable peeler is a must-have. I have two and would love more.
8. Mini chopper – This is similar to a food processor but much smaller (and less expensive). I use this to make small servings of salad dressing or chop nuts for granola bars or to make a crust for fish. I’ve linked one to amazon.com but you can easily find these at Target or Walmart. This is another good thrift store find as some people get them and don’t know what in the world to do with them.
9. Microplane Zester – I use this to zest lemons and limes into food and sauces. This adds freshness and a bit of sweetness without sugar.
10. Empty Spice Jars – A lot of spice mixes are full of sugar. Plus, I have several spice combinations I use a lot. Since healthy cooking takes more time, if I already have my spices mixed, it saves time. Plus I can make my own taco season and bbq seasoning without adding sugar. I also like to fill it with spices I use regularly (cinnamon and cumin). I use these so much I buy them in bulk but want to keep them on the counter so I can easily access them. Putting them in small, cute jars makes me feel like my kitchen is more fabulous than if I had a big ole’ jar of cumin sitting on the counter all the time. I put all the spices on a counter spice rack for easy access. This helps me save a lot of time when cooking.

I of course still use my wooden spoons, whisks, spatulas, etc. But these 10 items are things that really help make eating healthy a lot easier. What’s your favorite kitchen item.