Healthy eating is paramount for longevity, extending beyond mere weight management to provide the necessary nutrients for proper bodily function and overall well-being. Consequently, an unhealthy diet, characterised by the consumption of highly processed foods and a lack of essential nutrients, is widely associated with a higher risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer and diabetes, as well as an increased likelihood of premature death.
To eat healthier, explore cooking at home with wholesome ingredients 
and appropriate cooking methods to maximise nutrient intake.
The easiest way to cook more is to ensure cooking is less stressful and more enjoyable by using efficient kitchen tools that ease some of the redundant manual labour involved in cooking, like chopping vegetables.
Moreover, buying the best kitchen gadgets, such as an air fryer, can improve the nutrition profile of your meals. For example, air-frying plantain is an excellent way to enjoy this delicious meal without the excess oil of typical deep frying. This blog post will share the best kitchen buys that will help you eat healthier meals that are both tasty and nutritious.
Kitchen Appliances For Healthy Cooking
The right appliances can significantly enhance your cooking, reduce cooking time, retain more nutrients, and allow you to explore a variety of healthy recipes for your family.
Air Fryer
Air fryers are the ultimate game changer; it has revolutionised the way we approach healthy eating. In our home, the air fryer has earned its place on the kitchen counter, and we use it daily! Good things come in pairs, and the same holds for a dual air fryer. It allows you to cook two meals simultaneously, making it perfect for dishes like chips and chicken or for larger families preparing large quantities.
Best Air Fryers To Buy
Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer- AF300UK (Ejire Okin’s Favourite)
Pros
- Large Capacity: Ideal for family-sized meals.
- Dual Independent Zones: Simultaneously prepare two dishes with customised settings.
- Versatile Cooking Functions: Air-frying, max crisping, baking, roasting, dehydrating, and reheating.
- Efficiency: Cook up to 75% faster and reduce energy bills by up to 65% compared to ovens.
- Easy Cleanup: Non-stick, dishwasher-safe drawers simplify post-cooking cleanup.
Philips Airfryer
Pros
- Healthy Frying: Utilise Rapid Air technology for frying with up to 90% less fat.
- Versatile Cooking: Fry, bake, grill, roast, and reheat quickly.
- Convenience: Seven preset programs via the touch screen streamline cooking.
- Keep Warm: Maintain food at the ideal temperature for 30 minutes.
- Efficiency: Cook up to 50% faster and save up to 70% on energy compared to traditional ovens.
Food Processors & Blenders
A robust blender and food processor are indispensable to eating healthier. A quality food processor is not only cost-effective but also saves counter space by combining multiple functions, such as precise chopping, slicing, and grating. It streamlines food preparation, allowing you to create a variety of healthy meals with ease. You can effortlessly whip up some breakfast nut butter, make baby food like fruit purees, or prepare fresh vegetable salads.
Blenders, on the other hand, quickly become your go-to for crafting delicious, nutrient-rich smoothies, smoothie bowls, and even healthy mocktails or cocktails. A powerful blender eliminates the need for additional appliances, such as soup makers, as you can easily create a range of sauces, soups, and dips.
Best Food Processor & Blender To Buy
Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor & Blender (Ejire Okin’s Favourite)
Pros
- 3 Appliances in 1: A versatile combination of a food processor, multi-serve blender, and personal blender, offering a wide range of cooking possibilities.
- Multiple Capacities: With a 1.8L food processor bowl, a 2.1L multi-serve blending jug, and a 700ml single-serve cup, it handles everything from full meals to on-the-go drinks.
- Robust Blade Technology: High-quality stainless steel blades and a 1200W motor ensure consistent and efficient performance.
- Versatility: Effortlessly switch between blades and attachments to chop, slice, grate, puree, mix, blend, and process various ingredients and recipes.
- Easy Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe parts simplify post-cooking cleanup, making it convenient for daily use.
Nutribullet 900 Series
Pros
- Nutrient Extraction: Specifically designed blades maximise nutrient extraction, turning regular ingredients into superfoods.
- Versatile: It can crush ice, open seeds, handle tough skins, and more for accessing hidden nutrition.
- User-Friendly Design: A simple and intuitive design makes it a daily essential – push, twist, and blend.
- Easy Cleaning: Blades can be easily removed for cleaning, and the cups are dishwasher-safe.
- Perfect On The Go: Two sizes of travel cups with flip-top lids make it easy to enjoy your creations wherever you go.
Kenwood Mini Chopper CH180
Pros
- Efficient Preparation: A best-selling product that is quick and effortless in preparing small quantities of ingredients.
- User-Friendly: Its two-speed control and one-touch operation are easy to use, allowing you to achieve the desired chopping consistency.
- Powerful Performance: Despite its size, the chopper features a durable 300W motor, ensuring efficient and consistent chopping without compromising performance.
- Easy Cleanup: The dishwasher-safe bowl simplifies the cleanup process, making post-meal cleanup as effortless as meal preparation.
Electric Pressure Cooker & Slow Cooker
Our first memory of a stovetop pressure cooker was quite eventful, to say the least – an explosion of beans that reached the ceiling! Perhaps that’s why we’re highlighting the “electric pressure cooker” specifically. With electric versions, you get all the convenience without the chaos. These kitchen superheroes are the key to hands-free cooking.
Slow cookers are renowned for their “set and forget” approach
They make cooking nutritious, hearty meals a breeze, whether preparing a savoury dinner delight like goat meat pepper soup with yam chunks or starting your day with breakfast heroes like yoghurt or oat porridge.
When selecting the best kitchen gadgets, we love and recommend those that offer multifunctionality. Take the Instant Pot, for instance. It serves as a yoghurt maker, pressure cooker, steamer, slow cooker, rice cooker, sous vide machine, and with its new air fryer lid, it further allows you to bake, grill, air fry, dehydrate, and roast. The culinary possibilities with such a machine are endless, and it’s a fantastic addition to any kitchen, allowing you to whip up countless healthy recipes with ease.
Best Electric Pressure Cooker & Slow Cooker To Buy
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multi Cooker (Ejire Okin’s Favourite)
Pros
- Precision Cooking: Achieve consistently perfect meals with controlled cooking times and temperatures.
- Versatile Meal Preparation: Cook everything from quick breakfasts to slow-cooked stews, saving you up to 70% on cooking time.
- Hands-Off Cooking: Set smart timed presets and let the Instant Pot do the work while you focus on other tasks.
- All-in-One Appliance: Replace multiple kitchen gadgets with this space-saving solution that functions as a pressure cooker, sauté pan, steamer, slow cooker, rice cooker, food warmer, and yoghurt maker.
- Family-Friendly: With a 6-portion capacity, it’s perfect for feeding your family, entertaining, or meal prepping.
- Energy-Efficient: Enjoy eco-friendly cooking with Instant Pot, with up to 80% less energy consumption than electric ovens.
Crock-Pot 1.8L
Pros
- Ideal for Smaller Families: The 1.8-litre capacity is perfect for couples and individuals.
- Convenient Serving & Cleanup: The removable stoneware ceramic bowl is perfect for serving and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
- Customisable Cooking: Choose from three heat settings: low, high, and keep warm.
- Oven-Safe Bowl: Use it to brown meats or melt cheese to finish dishes.
- Practical Storage: The bowl can be stored in the fridge or freezer, perfect for leftovers.
Coffee Machine & Kettle
A coffee machine is a treasured addition to the kitchen for every coffee lover who is not about the instant coffee life. Since we bought our first SMEG coffee machine, we have never looked back. It is a daily use in our home as we love our espresso. Nevertheless, there are many coffee machines in the market that can give you a barista-like coffee in no time, from coffee beans to cappuccino.
Kettles are so versatile and an essential part of every kitchen. From making tea to cooking and cleaning, there is always a reason to put the kettle on.
Best Coffee Machine & Kettle To Buy
Smeg Retro Style Espresso Coffee Machine (Ejire Okin’s Favourite)
Pros
- Stylish Design: Elevate your kitchen with the elegant and compact design of the Smeg coffee machine.
- Thermoblock Heating: Enjoy your coffee quickly and at the perfect temperature thanks to innovative Thermoblock technology.
- Easy Maintenance: Cleaning is effortless with removable parts such as the drip tray.
- Consistency: Each espresso extraction is consistent and reliable with 15-bar pump pressure.
- Versatile Filter Holder: Use either ground coffee powders or pods, giving you flexibility in your coffee choices.
- Quick Espresso Controls: Prepare single, double espressos, or long drinks effortlessly with user-friendly controls.
Smeg 50’s Style Jug Kettle
Pros
- Elegant Soft Opening: The kettle’s lid opens softly when you press the central button, making filling easy.
- Limescale Filter: Built-in stainless steel filter effectively removes natural limescale and is easy to clean, ensuring clean hot water.
- Rapid Boiling: With 3000W power, this kettle boils water quickly, saving time.
- 360 Swivel Base: The kettle easily fits onto the base in any position, and it comes with a convenient cable tidy. The base also features non-slip feet for stability.
- Automatic Shut-Off: For peace of mind, the kettle has an automatic switch-off feature when the water reaches 100°C, enhancing safety.
Kitchen Tools For Healthy Cooking
While innovative gadgets and appliances play their part, simpler tools cannot be overlooked. Sharp knives, reliable chopping boards, and practical food storage bowls are essential in your kitchen. I remember using a blunt kitchen knife whilst on holiday trying to shred meat; I was beyond frustrated and ended up going to buy a pair of scissors in the local supermarket.
Food storage containers can aid healthy eating, helping you meal prep for the week ahead, store leftovers, portion control, and pack nutritious meals. This makes it easier to stick to your dietary goals and resist unhealthy fast-food options when you’re on the go.
Stay tuned for our upcoming in-depth guide on essential kitchen tools – subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when it’s released and upgrade your culinary journey. Your health matters, and we’re here to support you on your wellness path. Explore our comprehensive meal guide for optimising your workouts, download our free full body workout guide and discover valuable tips to kickstart your fitness journey today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the healthiest appliance to cook with?
An air fryer is often considered one of the healthiest kitchen appliances. Rightfully so, as it cooks food by circulating hot air, drastically reducing the oil needed. Valuable as excess consumption of certain oils high in saturated and trans fat can raise cholesterol levels. Other appliances include blenders, electric pressure cookers, etc.
How can I be healthy in the kitchen?
Cooking at home is a significant first step to eating healthy; focus on using fresh, whole food, opt for cooking methods that use less unhealthy fat, meal/ingredient prep for the week ahead, and finally, portion control.
What three things should every kitchen have?
Every kitchen should have essential tools like quality sharp knives, a sturdy and durable cutting board and quality cooking pots.
Is an air fryer actually healthier?
Air fryers can be a healthier choice for frying food than deep frying since they use significantly less oil (up to 90%*). However, the air frying cooking method is one of many considerations; the quality and quantity of the ingredients matter too.
