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If you've already made the commitment to start your weight loss journey, or are thinking about it now; you might need to update your kitchen equipment to accommodate the preparation of lower-calorie, lower-carbohydrate meals. Several affordable options are available; so, you don't need to spend a fortune to outfit your kitchen with the essentials of cooking light. You might not know the first thing about how to cook for yourself, or; alternatively, you are a seasoned chef at home, but now need to learn how to cook more healthily. Whatever the case may be, we've put together some suggestions that will transform your kitchen; you'll be making delicious and easy healthy meals in no time!
Kitchen Scale
Food portion measurement is absolutely an essential component of your weight loss success. A digital kitchen scale will help you easily determine the weight of your ingredients. Scales are priced between $10-50; you'll want something that's accurate and measures in ounces and grams. There are also smaller travel-size scales you can take with you when you are on the go!
We recommend:
The Eat Smart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale and the GSI Super Quality Electronic Digital Portable Slim Kitchen Scale.
Spray Bottle For Oil
Once you start reducing the oils and fats in your cooking, you'll be amazed at how many calories you have been wasting! You can make wonderful dishes with a quarter of the oils and fats that you may be using. A non-aerosol oil mister for olive oil or other low-calorie oils is a great way to complement a low-fat, low-calorie diet. All you need is a light coating of oil in pans and on baking trays or grills. Oil sprayers come in a variety of designs; you can go the cheap route for about five dollars with a perfectly good plastic spray bottle, or find one under $20 that is more customized in terms of design.
We recommend:
A regular plastic spray bottle, the Cuisipro Stainless Steel Oil Sprayer, and the Prepara Oil Mister.
Food Dehydrator
Dried vegetable chips, beef and turkey jerky, and certain fruits can be great low-carb snacks. These items are often expensive in stores, so a food dehydrator is a great investment! When you make your own snacks at home, you can reduce fat, sugar and sodium levels in your snacks all factors that lead to weight loss. Dehydrators can be purchased for between $40-220.
We recommend
The Nesco American Harvest FD-37 400 Watt Food Dehydrator, the Waring DHR30 Professional Dehydrator, and the Excalibur 2900 Economy Series 9 Tray Food Dehydrator.
Electric Vegetable Chopper
Vegetables, vegetables, vegetables you'll be eating a lot of these, and what better way to simply your life and save your fingers, wrists and arms than to purchase a good electric vegetable chopper? These are usually smaller than a normal food processor; some of them chop in shapes. You'll have perfectly uniform, fresh veggies in no time! They are also great for making a quick batch of tasty salsa. You can find these from $20-70.
We recommend
The Black & Decker EHC650B Ergo 3-Cup Food Chopper, the Cuisinart DLC-2A Mini Prep Plus Food Processors, and the Presto 02970 Professional Salad Shooter Electric Slicer/Shredder.
Rice and Food Steamer
Steaming is an age-old cooking technique that requires absolutely no oil or fats for cooking. It is one of the best ways to cut calories and quickly prepare healthy, low-calorie, and low-carb meals. There are several options for steamers currently on the market; a decent one will run anywhere from $40-250. The super economy route is to cook rice in a pot the old-fashioned way and to purchase a simple bamboo or steal or silicone collapsible steamer. Electric steamers can make entire meals with the push of a button. Many are programmable, but look for one that has an automatic shut-off and non-stick inner pot if possible. You can make perfect rice, and slow-cook tasty stews, meats, fish, and more!
We recommend
The Hamilton Beach Digital Steamer, the Aroma ARC-150SB 20-Cup (Cooked) Digital Rice Cooker and Food Steamer, and the Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S 6-Quart Programmable Cook & Carry Oval Slow Cooker. Happy low calorie, low carb cooking!!
