25 Things to Buy for a Healthier Kitchen
Sure, a healthier kitchen starts with what kind of food you have in it, because after all, a big part of keeping your body well depends on the nutrients you're consuming. But there are other non-food finds that you can add to your space to promote a healthy lifestyle and help you eat better. We wrote about what to buy for a healthier bedroom, and now we're focusing on what to buy for a healthier kitchen—things that will make cooking easier, help curb your junk food snacking, and more.
Some of these products range from high-tech devices and others are just simple basics, so you can pick and choose what works for your lifestyle, or you can say, "Why not?" and buy it all. It's up to you. Take a look at some of our suggestions below.
Sure you can get a regular blender for under $50, but you can also get a Vitamix, especially if you're committed to your daily smoothies. This one has three program settings: smoothies, hot soup, and frozen desserts, so you can have fun testing out your favorite homemade recipes. It also has some really cool high-tech capabilities, like built-in wireless connectivity and a digital timer.
Meal prepping is a smart way to ensure you're eating right. While it is a time commitment, it will pay off when you have zero minutes to grab lunch during the workday or feel too tired to cook after work, so you don't opt for fast food via Postmates. These glass containers will make meal prep a breeze.
Air fryers are getting as much buzz as the trendy Instant Pot these days, and we can understand why. If you love french fries, fried chicken, and even donuts, you can make them in the air fryer and not feel so bad about indulging. It allows you to cook with little to no oil, so the foods are less fatty than if you fried them the regular way. Plus, you can also dehydrate and roast, too.
Speaking of the Instant Pot, we had to add it to the list, too. While you can make a lot of "unhealthy" things in the trendy kitchen gadget (creamy and cheesy soups and stews galore!), you can also use it to make some healthy stuff, too. Cook quinoa and beans easily, or even put a whole butternut squash inside.
Prep kale (or other leafy greens) with ease by using this helpful stem-stripper. Just put the leaves through the holes and say goodbye to the stems. Personally, I have this one, and it makes making meal prepping veggies so much easier. You can even use it for herbs too, which is such a timesaver—anyone who has ever had to meticulously pull thyme leaves will know it's a pain in the butt.
Zoodles (and the like) are so popular right now—and for good reason, because honestly, some recipes taste as good as regular pastas. (As good, not better; we're not monsters and still love a good bowl of spaghetti bolognese.) While some grocery stores offer pre-made items, you can also save a few bucks and make your own at home with a spiralizer. This one has over 9000 ratings on Amazon with an average of 4.5 stars.
If you're looking to live more sustainably (and actually, this can help your overall health for a variety of reasons), you'll want to cool it on the paper towel use. That's where a set of kitchen towels comes in handy. Purchasing a big stack of them can also help with your laundry load, too.
A digital kitchen scale is helpful for those who are trying to be extremely mindful of portion sizes and food intake. This one is just $11 and is battery-operated. It can weight up to 11 pounds of food and displays results in ounces, grams, and pounds.
Featuring 131 straightforward, relatively easy, and most importantly, healthy, recipes, this cookbook provides enough inspiration for any meal. Think dishes like salty watermelon, feta, mint, and avocado salad; spiced chicken and chickpea flatbreads; and peanut butter granola. The best part? It's great for cooking newbies and lazy cooks—the recipes were developed with easy and quick prep and cleanup in mind.
Another way to be more sustainable in the kitchen is by swapping your dish soap for a natural version. I love Mrs. Meyer's products because they get the job done, smell good, and are pretty okay on the planet, too. This dish soap smells like lemon verbena and is made of plant-derived ingredients.
Okay, hear us out. Yes, the Amazon Echo might not seem like a "healthy" kitchen item, but it really is! Ask Alexa to help you with recipes or to set the timer. Play some music while you're cooking to make the prep time go so much faster. You'll actually want to spend time in the kitchen, instead of opting to order takeout.
If you're going to chop your veggies with those new knives, then you need something to cut them on. Think about how long you've had your cutting boards—it might be time for an upgrade. These eco-friendly bamboo boards come in a set of three, so you can have one for meats, veggies, and other items.
Making your own salad dressing can be a healthier option as a lot of store-bought versions have added ingredients that aren't so great for you (sugar, sodium, and artificial flavors). You can make your own and store in this handy container so you'll always have some on hand.
You probably have to use trash bags, so why not use ones that are compostable to give the environment some love? And like we said, doing your part to be more eco-friendly will help everyone's health out in the long-term.
Next up: These 10 Sustainable Products Are Trending on Pinterest
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.
Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work at Who What Wear, she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.
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