Every successful journey requires proper utilization of the right tools. If you are trekking across the country you will need a working vehicle, some type of accurate navigation system, and enough money to keep the gas tank full. If you are working towards running your first marathon, the right running shoes, a training program, and proper supplements will definitely come in handy.Your nutrition journey is no exception to this rule. Anyone that has waded into the waters of cleaning up their eating habits would probably tell you that cooking more meals at home is essential for smooth sailing. And while there are intangible tools you’ll need for your nutrition journey, namely consistent accountability and some basic food knowledge, literal tools in a well-stocked kitchen are essential in getting to your final destination.Don’t open that browser just yet: there are tons of fancy niche kitchen gadgets floating around Amazon and taking up space in the aisles of Bed Bath and Beyond that you truly don’t need. For example, this $82 cheese grater (why?) or this $25 robot soup stirrer (what?). We’re looking to build a functional kitchen that can support your health and fitness goals -- not clutter it up. So! Here are 13 kitchen must-haves we totally recommend as you start (or level up) your nutrition journey:
An Instant Pot or pressure cooker is a great way to save time but not miss out on flavor. Many Instant Pot recipes take less than 20 minutes and require few ingredients.SplurgeBudget Friendly
A good knife will take you a long way in the kitchen - no matter what you’re cooking! A good knife will help you cut and chop more efficiently, and if taken care of, will last a lifetime in your kitchen.Splurge Budget Friendly
If you’re spending a few hours on a Sunday or Monday preparing your food for the week, the right meal prep containers are a must. We recommend environment (and microwave) friendly glass containers like the ones below so that you can easily differentiate between your various prepped meals in the fridge and safely heat them up.SplurgeBudget Friendly
When doing meal prep or preparing a meal, there is always some chopping involved. Having a large cutting board provides you an ample amount of space for your knife cuts and won’t have you chasing vegetables all over your kitchen floor.SplurgeBudget Friendly
Immersion blenders are a great tool that allow you to blend right into your sauce pan or dutch oven or even your big-mouthed ball jar. Whether you’re making sauce, soups, or salad dressing, the immersion blender will seamlessly blend your ingredients and provide a much smoother consistency, without having to pour everything into your blender.SplurgeBudget Friendly
From sliced veggies to those extra almonds to that quarter of an avocado you didn’t use, reusable snack bags are great for keeping all your smaller portions fresh and easily grabbable/goable.Splurge Budget Friendly
A good set of measuring spoons and measuring cups helps with better accuracy and outcomes in your recipes. Never cook bland chicken breast again -- measure your seasoning accurately and delectably.Splurge:SpoonsCupsBudget Friendly
Baking sheets aren’t just for your grandmother’s secret cookie recipe. A reliable baking sheet is essential if you plan on bulk-roasting veggies or trying your hand at any of these “one-pan” dinners.SplurgeBudget Friendly
A meat thermometer is paramount when cooking proteins! Relying solely on the eye or touch test, it’s easy to get an inconsistent cook on certain meats. But checking the internal temperature on your prepared meats means a spot-on cook, every time.SplurgeBudget Friendly
In my kitchen, this guy is consistently the MVP. Cast irons are awesome because they maintain constant heat, can be transferred into the oven during cooking and they actually improve with time. That’s right, your cast iron skillet only gets better and better with use. Plus, cook with a cast iron and people will automatically assume you know your way around a kitchen.SplurgeBudget Friendly
Blenders are a great way to make bases, batters, or quick or on-the-go meals, such as a smoothie in the morning for breakfast. There are a ton of ways to incorporate a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and protein into a smoothie, and take the work out of mixing batters, making a blender a must-have for your nutrition journey.SplurgeBudget Friendly
While a wooden spoon is a great kitchen utensil, maintenance can be tricky. That’s why we recommend silicon spoons and spatulas. Similar to their wooden cousins, silicon utensils will allow you to stir in your saucepan at high heat without plastic melting into your dish, and will protect your pots and pans from scrapes and scratches.SplurgeBudget Friendly
Preparing and having a plan may be the most important tool in your shed when embarking on a nutrition journey. It’s the ultimate in setting yourself up for success. At the beginning of each week, think through each day through the lens of your wellness goals. Yes, that might mean thinking about when you are going to exercise. It also means thinking about what you’re going to eat and when. What meals are you going to prepare in advance? Which night will you most likely be more tired than the others? Might be a good night to make an instant pot meal! If you know you have to travel for work on Wednesday, consider looking up healthy food options in the area.Thinking ahead and having a plan is key to reaching your health and wellness goals. If you don’t know where to start, consider booking a free intro session with me. In this session we’ll iron out your goals, and prepare a plan together. We can also do a little online shopping :)