The Best Appliances for Easy Healthy Cooking
Cooking healthy doesn’t have to be a chore. A few helpful kitchen appliances can make it a straightforward process!
If you’re looking for ways to cut down on how long it takes to cook a healthy meal (or meal prep), try these recommended kitchen appliances.
From Tosca
Essential tools to make clean meals effortless.
I understand why some people feel that Eating Clean is beyond their reach. Making food from home can seem overwhelming. However, this former non-chef who burned water knows that anyone can make and eat more nutritious foods. It’s a matter of having the right mindset, expert guidance about Eating Clean and the extra equipment that makes it all come together seamlessly.
I hope the items on this list help you on your Eat Clean journey.
Vitamix Explorian Blender
$350
Pros
- 48-ounce container
- Self-cleaning
- Stainless steel blades
- Blades can heat cold ingredients
Cons
- Relatively expensive option
Blenders can make more than just smoothies. The Vitamix Explorian Blender, for example, can heat cold ingredients as it blends. By the time your fresh ingredients are thoroughly blended, you’ll have hot soup ready to eat.
Hamilton Beach Panini Press
$45
Pros
- Locking lid
- Folds up for easy storage
- Light indicates when press is ready
Cons
- Lid gets very hot
A panini press levels up any sandwich. Rather than a standard peanut butter and jelly, why not grill a light-and-crispy sourdough panini with fresh veggies, lean protein, hummus, and a pile of microgreens? ? It’s an Eat Clean balanced snack with a metropolitan flavor.
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
$130
Pros
- Includes multi-layer rack
- Comes with free recipe book
- Basket & crisper plate are dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Cooking time may take some calibration
This Ninja model is a varied and efficient option for smaller families. With 4 qt of capacity, it fries, roasts, reheats, and even dehydrates. The AF101 comes with a basket, crisper plate, and multilayer rack—all of which are dishwasher safe.
Hamilton Beach Juicer
$70
Pros
- Can process whole fruits
- Removable dishwasher-safe parts
- Extra-large pulp bin
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a juice cup
Store-bought juices are no better than sodas in most cases thanks to the heavy load of sugar and lack of fiber or nutrients. Investing in a juicer allows you to enjoy fresh and nutritious juices without the added sugar. As a bonus, making your own juice reduces your single-use plastic consumption.
My Autumn Juice Cleanse is a great way to put your new juicer to work. Check it out!
Nutr Automatic Nut Milk Maker
$190
Pros
- Free recipe book
- Includes measuring cups, strainer, & cleaning brush
- Delay start function
- Partners with One Tree Planted
Cons
- Gets loud while in use
Speaking of making your own beverages, why not make nut milk from home? Many people find reducing their dairy intake beneficial to their health. This device gives you a delicious dairy-free alternative at the touch of a button!
NUTRA TRACK Food Scale
$56
Pros
- Calculates nutrition information
- Tallies weekly nutritional totals
- Can add 999 new foods
Cons
- Anti-skid pads may come loose
Weighing your food during meal prep can help you track your nutritional intake, but this scale takes it to the next level. The NUTRA TRACK gives you detailed nutritional information to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need! You can even add customized food options. Food tracking made easy!
Yonanas Frozen Fruit Soft Serve Maker
$80
Pros
- No more calories than normal fruit
- Free recipe book
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Labor-intensive to use
One of the secrets to Eating Clean is finding substitutions that satisfy your cravings. The Yonanas Frozen Fruit Soft Serve Maker is perfect for that. This machine turns frozen fruit into soft serve without adding any calories. Combine clean ingredients like fruit, kefir and other options to create clean ice cream sans guilt.
Mega Wise Vacuum Sealer
$50
Pros
- Creates airtight seal in 20 seconds or less
- Built-in sliding cutter
- Includes moist and dry modes
Cons
- Requires 60 seconds to cool down between each use
The Mega Wise vacuum sealer is designed with convenience and efficiency in mind. The interface is remarkably user-friendly, and the built-in cutter makes the whole vacuum sealing process quick and straightforward. This sealer even comes with 10 BPA-free bags.
Instant Pot RIO
$99
Pros
- 7 unique functions
- Anti-spin inner pot
- 13 customizable programs
Cons
- Interface may be a bit intimidating for beginners
Formerly known as the Instant Pot DUO, the RIO is the updated version of an Instant Pot classic. This pot features 7 functions, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, yogurt making, steaming, sautéing, and warming. With a capacity of 6 QTs, the RIO is a savvy choice for growing families.
Spärkel Beverage System
$150
Pros
- No C02 tank required
- 5 carbonation levels
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Requires carbonator packs
- Using raw ingredients in lieu of carbonator packs voids warranty
Making your own sparkling water is the perfect way to replace soda and reduce your food packaging waste. This soda machine goes the extra mile because it doesn’t require C02 canisters, making it even better for the environment.
Buyer’s Guide
What to Look for When Buying Kitchen Appliances
If you have unlimited money and kitchen storage, you might be able to get everything on this list. But just in case you don’t, here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for small appliances.
Multifunctionality
Instead of buying several appliances that do one thing, focus on finding one appliance that does several things. It may cost more in the short term, but it’ll likely save you money in the future.
Easy Storage
Alas, cupboard and counter space is finite. Make sure you have a place to put the appliance you’re considering. If there’s an option that comes apart for convenient storage, that’s even better!
Practicality
If you don’t have high conviction about weighing your food portions, you probably won’t use a food scale. If you don’t like soup, you probably don’t need a blender with a soup-making function.
Think critically about your lifestyle and how each appliance fits into it. Don’t try to build an ideal lifestyle around the appliances, no matter how cool they are.